Kilat Fitzgerald / Winonan

Defending national champion weight thrower Kaitlyn Long broke the Division II national record of a 20-pound weight being thrown with a toss of 73 feet Saturday at the Saint Mary’s Early Birdinal. The previous record was 70’ 6.5”.

“It was really rewarding after setting her goal to break the Division II record last year,” Winona State associate head track and field throws coach Mike Turgeon said. “We’re aimed to peak at the national meet in March.”

Long’s last throw drew cheers from a supporting crowd. A slow clap led up to the record-breaking throw, and the crowd continued to cheer after the weight hit the ground.

“It feels great,” Long said. “I really love to compete and I’ve been praying a lot. I feel really blessed that I am able to do this.”

Several other Warriors performed strong in their first competition of 2016, with 11 events being won as a team.

Junior Megan Seidl led the way in the 400-meter dash with a time of 58.48, marking the seventh-best time in Winona State athletic history. The Warriors claimed the five highest spots in the event.

“It’s very different competing in meets where you race teammates primarily,” Seidl said. “We want each other to do well but we also want to beat each other out.”

Junior Tiffany Sunderland took first place with her 1-mile run time of 5:32.96, followed by fellow Warrior Hannah Lewis clocked in at 5:37.13.

“It’s looking like I’ll be faster this year,” Sunderland said.

This was the second time she has competed in this event during her career.

Sunderland said the mile was different from races with shorter distances and there is more time to process thoughts.

Winona State also took the top pair of spots in the 600-meter run, led by senior Katie Bagley claiming the event title with a finishing time of 1:38.25 while first-year Allison Johnson earned second with 1:42.66.

First-year Hope Willenbrink led Winona State with a time of 3:16.67 in the 1000-meter run while sophomore Madison Schroeder and first-year Maria Sabourin coming

in second and third with times of 3:18.68 and 3:22.84, respectively.

The Warriors won the first four spots in the 55-meter hurdles as well, with first-year Olivia Fixen leading the way with a time of 8.73, the sixth-highest time in program history.

Another event Winona State claimed was the 4×400-meter relay, with its top two teams winning by 10 seconds over the third and fourth place teams.

The top five high jumps were also taken by Winona State, with sophomore Amanda Schaefer and first-year Maria Wrage surpassing the 5’ 4.5’’ mark. Schaefer also claimed the triple jump event title with a winning mark of 36’ and three-quarter inches

“I finally feel like my old self,” Schaefer said,

who is recovering from a broken ankle that previously threatened her career.

In the long jump event the Warriors took the top seven places, with junior Hailey Deschaine paving the way with

a distance of 18’3 1/4’’. The distance ties for the fifth-best long jump in program history.

“It feels really good, especially knowing how hard I’ve worked for it,” Deschaine said. “All the little pieces are coming together.”

Sophomore Ashley Thooft wrapped up the Warrior’s event titles by claiming the shot put with a winning throw of 43’8”, while first-year Heather Buckler finishing second with a mark of 42’ 4 3/4”.

Winona State will head to Mankato, Minn. to compete in the Minnesota State Open & Multi next Friday and Saturday.