Pittsburg, Kan. --- The 2016 outdoor season kicked off this weekend for the Minnesota State women's track and field team as they split the squad between three separate meets.

Traveling to Pittsburg, Kansas, the Mavericks left with a few first place finishes. Senior Samantha Soupirwould get the day started out right with a first place finish in the 3000-meter steeple chase in a time of 11:32.56. Continuing the success for the Mavericks was Altoniece Williams placing first in the 100-meter hurdles with a provisional qualifying time of 13.67. Brooke Foreman placed seventh in 15.12. MSU would place three athletes in the top-ten for the 100-meter dash. Leading the charge was freshman Afure Adah placing third in 12.13. Rounding out the top-ten in eighth and ninth were Briana Holt (12.32) and Mackenzie Beals (12.33).

The 200-meter dash also had three Mavericks place in the top-ten. Adding on to her impressive day Williams placed second with a run of 25.22. Following right behind her was fellow Maverick Adah in third (25.23). Rounding out the top-ten for the Mavericks was Beals in ninth with a time of 25.53.

Taking the top two spots in the 800-meter dash were Haley Kruger (2:14.24) and Megan Allen (2:14.53) Freshman Megan Serratore turned in a fifth-place finish of her own in her first career outdoor meet finishing the 1500-meters in 5:02.15. Stacy Smidtwould take sixth place in the 400-meter run with a time of 58.95. The 400-meter hurdles was won by Foreman in a time of 1:04.47. She was followed by teammate, Sophia Simonson, in third with a run of 1:06.75.

The top 4x100 relay team of Holt, Gabi Gaines, Beals, and Holly Sussfinished in fourth-place with a time of 48:02.

Freshman Khadiya Hollingsworth started her outdoor season out strong taking first place in the high jump and provisionally qualifying for nationals with a jump of 5'08.50''. She was followed by senior Kayla Lindell in third (5'05.00'') and junior Brianna Ziolkowski in sixth (5'03''). Senior Faryn Wirkus secured a provisional qualifying mark with her third-place finish in the pole vault at 12'07.50''. Rounding out MSU's efforts in Kansas was junior Ariel Thomas finishing second in the triple jump with a mark of 38'11.00'', which qualifies provisionally.

In Des Moines, Iowa, Freshman Sarah Kalkhoff started her outdoor campaign off strong by winning the discus with a toss of 128'02''. She would also place eighth in the shot put (34'8.50''). Junior Emma Edelen had a busy day by placing third in the discus with a throw of 124'08'', fourth in the hammer throw (141'09''), and sixth in the shot put (35'00.50'').  Senior Morgan Stampley took home first place in the hammer throw with a toss of 170'02''. She was followed by sophomore Sarah Knutson in third with a throw of 144'05''.

After day one at the Ashley Nally Heptathlon in Maryville, Mo, Jessika Dieringer sits in sixth place with a total score of 2282. This event will wrap up tomorrow.

Grand View Invitational results may be viewed HERE.

 Wendy's/PSU Invitational results may be viewed HERE.

Ashley Nally Heptathlon results can be viewed HERE.

The Mavericks will continue their season on April 2nd, as they travel to Sioux Falls, S.D. to take part in the Vance Butler Invitational.