Minneapolis, Minn. --- After a busy weekend just seven days ago, the Minnesota State men's and women's track and field team took a lighter approach this time around.

Both coaches chose to rest many of their student-athletes in preparation for the NSIC Conference Championships. A select few made the quick journey north to Minneapolis to take part in the Snowshoe Open on Friday (men) and the Parents Day Open on Saturday (women). The men's distance medley relay team competed at the Stinger Open in South Dakota.

Junior Sophia Simonson (Fargo, N.D.) started the day off finishing third in the 400-meter dash with a final time of 59:82. The 3000-meter run had senior Samantha Soupir (Omaha, Neb.) place 12^th with a season best time of 10:34.48.

The Mavericks had a strong showing in the 800-meter run led by junior Haley Kruger, (Brandon, S.D.) who grabbed a second-place finish in the 800-meters at 2:11.57, which because of the larger track converts to 2:10.07. This is her new personal best time and currently ranks as the ninth fastest time in division II. Following right behind in third was sophomore Megan Allen (Grand Rapids, Minn.) with a 2:15.04, which converts to 2:13.50. This is also a new personal best for Allan and ranks as the 26^th best time in division II. Rounding out the top-ten in seventh was junior Maddi Sjelin (St. Michael, Minn.) with a run of 2:20.15.

The Mavericks had continued success on the field side as well. Senior Kayla Lindell (Cold Spring, Minn.) took home first-place in the high jump with season best jump of 5'5.25''. This is also tied for the 34^th best mark in division II. Placing third was sophomore Eden Rogers (West Bend, Wis.) with a mark of 5'3.25''. She was followed by junior Brianna Ziolkowski (Hatley, Wis.) in sixth (5'3.25'') and freshman Paige Somerville (Hayward, Wis.) (5'1.25''). In the triple jump sophomore Allison Calkins (Janesville, Wis.) placed fifth with a leap of 33'3''.

The lone male athlete competing this weekend at the Snowshoe Open was sophomore Derek Finsterwalder (La Crosse, Wis.), who placed eighth in the 800-meter run (1:57.16).

The distance medley relay team consisting of Brendan Gessner(Lino Lakes, Minn.), John Schuster (Wells, Minn.), Derek Cruz (Stevens Point, Wis.), and Austin Pasch (Tomah, Wis.) placed third with a time of 10:14.14.

Full meet results may be viewed https://www.tfrrs.org/results/43642.html and https://www.tfrrs.org/results/43627.html.
 
Up next is the NSIC Conference Championships beginning Friday, February 26th, which will be held within MSU's Myers Field House.