Women's Indoor Track and Field team places third at NSAA Championships

BROOKINGS, S.D. - The Viterbo University Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships took place over the weekend and the V-Hawks placed third of six teams with 121.5 points. The Viterbo women were on the podium in six different events. 

The 4x400 Meter Relay team, made up of Tess Durscher, Tori Gerber, Claudia Schunk, and Lana Yeakel placed third in their event with a time of 4:24.14. The 4x800 Meter Relay team, made up of Gerber, Jerica Mueller, Anya Hirsch, and Vanessa Thomas, finished their event at the top, placing first overall with a time of 10:43.52. 

Bailey Nuutinen placed first in the Pole Vault with her jump of 3.42 meters. With this jump, Nuutinen tied the conference meet record set in 2020. Viterbo also had Emma Johnson on the podium in the same event, finishing in third at 3.12 meters. 

Breanna Ihde finished in third place in the Long Jump with her jump of 5.19 meters. Alexie Stephani finished third as well in the Triple Jump finals with a distance of 10.31 meters. 

In throws, Payton Dryden finished in third in the Women Weight Throw with a throw of 13.44 meters. 

Other notable finishers were Maren Gullingsrud, who finished in fourth place in the Weight Throw at 12.99 meters, and Vanessa Thomas, who just missed the podium in the 3000 Meter Run with her time of 11:32.79. 

Nuutinen will advance to the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National meet, taking place March 3-5 in Brookings, S.D. She now holds the school record, was named conference champion in her event and is the first pole vaulter in program history to qualify for nationals. Follow the nationals action on viterboathletics.com or by following us on social media.