Storm set multiple personal-bests in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. - Both Simpson track and field squads traveled to the Prairie Wolf Invite, hosted by Nebraska Wesleyan, that saw multiple season and career-bests set.

On the women's side, Teghan Booth and Lara Kallem entered into the top six in school history in the 3000 meters. Booth finished third in the race with a 10:47.08, moving her into fifth all-time in the Storm record books. Kallem was just over two seconds behind with a mark of 10:49.65, giving her the sixth-best time in school history.

Maddie Hays also made headlines in the 200 meter dash. Hays clocked a time of 26.95, which is the fastest time by almost a whole second for the Storm this season and puts her just outside the top seven in school history. Hays also ran the first leg for the 4x400 relay team that finished fourth in a time of 4:18.94, beating the top Storm time from last season by almost eight seconds.

The women's mile produced plenty of season and career-bests. Emily Erhardt, who won last week's mile at the Dutch Athletics Classic, produced a career-best 5:30.32 to finish 10th. Freshman Kate Huisinga lowered her time from last week's mile by almost 13 seconds, clocking a 5:33.07. Kaya Young also improved her career best by 16 seconds, recording a time of 5:39.40.

Audrey Arnold, despite never running the normal 60 meter dash before, ran an 8.40, the fastest time by a Storm runner since Sarah Nolting in 2020. Ava Carder continued her impressive start to her track season with a 2:30.91 in the 800 meters, which would have been the third-fastest time last season.

Carter Berkey tied his indoor career-high in the long jump with a mark of 6.84 meters, placing the highest of any Simpson competitor by taking second place. Berkey has now recorded two wins and a second-place to open his track season. Max Cleveland shifted his focus from his usual hurdle events to compete in the 400 meter dash, almost setting a career-best with a time of 50.84 to take fourth place.

The men's mile saw a host of season and career-bests, led by Cade Mash with a career-best 4:28.97. Cole Leggett knocked 10 seconds off his career debut last week to finish right behind Mash with a 4:30.00. Other notable performers that also set career-bests were Louden Foster (4:33.65) and Brody Wirtz (4:34.26). In the men's 200 meters, Joseph Sams became the first person to go under 24 seconds on the year, running a career-best 23.81. Dillan Gulley (24.10) and Brody Ulch (24.97) also set career-bests in the event.

A pair of men finished in the top five in the 3000 meter run, with Andrew Klein taking fourth position in a team-leading 8:56.66. Quite literally right behind him was teammate Ean Warrick running a career-best 8:56.67, just 0.01 seconds behind. Marc Medici finished in seventh while clocking a career-best 9:00.29.

Up Next

The Storm have a busy week upcoming, first making another trip to Pella on Thursday and Friday before heading to Grinnell next Saturday.