Kilat Fitzgerald / Winonan

The Winona State University women’s track and field team won two events during the second day of the MSU Open and Multi at the Minnesota State University campus in Mankato on Saturday.

On the first day, senior Jordan Paschke claimed the 3000-meter run, taking first with a finishing time of 10:14.93, the third-best time in program history. Sophomore Raissa Hansen chipped in a third place finish with a time of 10:27.69, the fifth-best time all-time. Sophomore McKenzie Fortier finished fourth in 10:51.33.

Sophomore Olivia Fixsen took second place in the high jump section of the pentathlon with a height of five feet, one and three-quarter inches.

Sophomore Kaitlyn Long came in second place in the weight throw with a toss of 66 feet, four inches while senior teammate Abbey Ristow followed with a toss of 55 feet, five inches.

On the second day, the Warriors took the top three spots in the shot put. The winner of the event, sophomore Ashley Thooft, made a toss of 44 feet, six and a quarter inches.

“Going in, I just wanted to focus on my footwork,” Thooft said. “It feels great to see all the technique come together from practice. Every meet is more opportunity for us to compete against ourselves. It’s been going well, since we’re a really close team trying to push each other.”

Coach Michael Turgeon said Thooft continues to get better.

“She’s really making great strides,” he said. “Her technique is kind of a speed glide, a more German style. She’s gotten a lot more athletic and stronger in the past year.”

In second place, fellow Warrior Heather Buckler finished second with a throw of 43 feet, two and a half inches. This was followed by weight throwing record holder Kaitlyn Long, whose shot put mark of 42 feet, 11 inches put her in third place.

Junior Megan Seidl was victorious in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.47 seconds.

“I try not to focus on placement at meets, but it feels good,” Seidl said. “There was definitely a larger variety of teams at this past meet, so it was fun to have that challenge.”

Second place in the triple jump was junior Andrea Bartz, who cleared a distance of 37 feet, two and a quarter inches.

In the 600-meter run, first-year Kari Schneiss took third with a place time of 1:41.79.

The 4×400-meter relay comprised of Seidl, senior Katie Bagley, junior Ali Skluzacek and sophomore Brittany Schyvinck took second place with a time of 3:58.19, ranked 10th in program history.

Schneiss said the team’s work ethic is incredible and they are very passionate.

“Honestly, we train super hard every week,” Schneiss said. “What helps the most is the endurance workout. All the girls I train with, they’re the ones pushing me. It’s great to have a passionate team. I couldn’t have chosen a better program here at Winona.”

Winona State will compete at the Jack Johnson Classic next Friday and Saturday in Minneapolis at the University of Minnesota.