FARGO, ND – Racing for the first time since taking second at the NCAA Division II cross country national championships,
Alexis Zeis posted the best time in the nation in the 3,000 meter run to headline a strong performance for the University of Mary women's track & field team at the Bison Open.
A five-time All-American, Zeis outpaced a talented group of runners to win the 3,000 meter run in a time of 9:22.39. The junior from Bismarck, ND, automatically qualified for the NCAA indoor championships with the best time in Division II this season. Zeis finished more than eight seconds faster than All-American Emilee Trost of Minnesota Duluth. The time is also a school record in the event.
In addition to Zeis's automatic qualifying time for the NCAA indoor championships, the Marauders recorded five provisional qualifying marks.
The distance medley relay team of
Jaiden Schuette,
Melanie Rodriguez,
Bree Erickson and
Kate Fox claimed third place overall with a provisional qualifying time of 12:00.99.
The Marauders 4x 400 meter relay team also had an outstanding day.
Julia Hammerschmidt,
Maria Bolibruch,
Tonie-Ann Pandohie and Rodriguez placed second behind NCAA Division I and meet host North Dakota State with a provisional qualifying time of 3:48.61.
In addition to her efforts on the 4x400 team, Pandohie had an outstanding day individually. The junior from Kingston, Jamaica, placed first in the 60 meter hurdles. Her provisional qualifying time of 8.54 seconds is the second fastest time in the country this season.
Bolibruch also had big performance individually in addition to her work on the 4x400. The sophomore placed second behind Pandohie in the 60 meter hurdles, clearing the barriers in a provisional qualifying mark of 8.62 seconds.
Schutte generated a second provisional qualifying mark in addition to her work on the distance medley relay. The sophomore placed fifth in the 800 meter run with a provisional qualifying time of 2:14.29.
Mary also captured two other titles on the day. Continuing a strong freshman season,
Tanesha Davis won the 60 meter dash crown with an electrifying clocking of 7.80 seconds.
Kylie Pastian was stellar in both jump events. The sophomore won the long jump with a top effort of 5.52 meters. She also placed second in the triple jump at 11.25 meters.
The Marauders next compete at the South Dakota State Classic on Feb. 10-11.
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