MANKATO, Minn. – The trend of strong results for Minnesota State women's indoor track and field continued Saturday at the Ted Nelson Classic hosted at Myers Field House as the No. 2 ranked Mavericks placed second among 10 teams with a score of 150.5.
 
Senior Flore Gracia (Thionville, France) marked an incredible distance of 13.28m (43' 7") in triple jump for a Minnesota State record in the event. Gracia's jump ranks first in NCAA Division II this season and the third best triple jump in NCAA Division II history (Nkiruka Domike, Omaha, 13.76m, 2011, Nkiruka Domike, Omaha, 13.40m, 2011).
 
The new personal best for Gracia topped her own school record of 42' 0" set in 2023. In Division II triple jump this season, Gracia holds the first, second, and fourth best marks, while MSU teammates Stella Neophytou and Lillian Washington rank seventh and eighth respectively (fourth and fifth individuals).
 
"I am really happy with how our teams are progressing," commented head coach Mike Turgeon. "The highlight of the day was Flore Gracia breaking her school record in triple jump."
 
Hope Stangel cleared a height of 3.71m to land in first place in pole vault at Myers Fieldhouse. Madeline Fretag also won the shot put event with a distance of 13.49m. High jump was led by Lilliam Washington who cleared a height of 1.67m (5' 5.75"). Teammate Olivia Solis placed second with a height of 1.62m (5' 3.75") and Lauren Preiner took third at 1.57m (5' 1.75").
 
Minnesota State 4x400 meter relay team included Alexa Post, Esther Miller, Lillian Orf and Melanie Marks. The squad finished first with a time of 4:14.77.
 
Other teams competing included St. Thomas (166.5), Sioux Falls (129), Minnesota Duluth (113), Iowa Central CC (25), Carleton (21), Martin Luther (16), North Iowa CC (14) and Hawkeye CC (2).
 
The Mavericks also deployed a contingent of sprinters and distance runners to the Iowa State Classic in Ames, Iowa. Denisha Cartwright won the 200m (24.02) and 60m hurdles (8.12) while placing second in the 4x400 meter relay (3:45.77) with Eilika Lane, Robynn Rolle-Curry and Rose Cramer.
 
MaKenna Thurston headlined the women's mile run with a first place time of 4:52.50.
 
"Indoors it's nice to get on the road every once in a while, especially to a great facility like Iowa State," said Chris Parno, Associate Head Men's & Women's Track and Field Coach. "With nationals being on a 300m track, the group got some valuable experience on the big track. Performances were highlighted by Denisha Cartwright bettering her national lead in the 60m hurdles at 8.12 seconds. Robynn Rolle Curry also broke her win school record in the 409m dash at 54.67, which was top-10 nationally."
 
Minnesota State competes next at the Maverick Premier #1 and #2 events at Myers Fieldhouse. The NSIC Indoor Championships are scheduled for Feb. 23-24.