Kilat Fitzgerald / Winonan

Splitting the team in half, the Winona State University women’s track and field team headed into two different invites this weekend, sending the throwers to the University of Wisconsin Stout in the Warren Bowlus Open and the runners to the Jack Johnson Classic at the University of Minnesota.

Junior sprinter Megan Seidl started the event by running the 200 meters in 25.25 seconds, the best time recorded in Winona State history. This time broke her own previous record of 25.33 from the previous season, a time matched with Sarah Finley for the top spot in program history.

This placed Seidl in fourth out of 37 field athletes for the Jack Johnson Classic finals, with the top three spots being taken by runners from Division I schools.

“It was interesting seeing these teams that we normally wouldn’t see,” Seidl said. “We just didn’t know what to expect. I’m not really sure why, but this time was one of the fastest I’ve run indoor or outdoor. Hope I can shave some more off of it.”

In Stout, sophomore Kaitlyn Long recorded a win in the weight throw event when she made a toss of 71 feet, nine and a half inches. Her third-place throw in shotput was marked 43 feet, five inches on Saturday.

“It was good getting the new technique down,” Long said. “It was the first weekend using this new technique, and it was good for getting more ball speed, which is a big plus.”

Long’s throwing coach, Mike Turgeon, said he was satisfied with the new technique.

“It starts with her right foot back allowing her to turn her shoulders more,” Turgeon said. “Her average increased by three feet. This was the best meet of her life.”

Long is set to compete in St. Thomas in two weeks.

“St. Thomas was a big break for her last year. We think the same thing should happen”

The Warriors were also victorious in the 4×400-meter relay when they finished with a first place time of 4:07.08. The team consisted of sophomore Megan Grochowski, junior Ali Skluzacek, sophomore Karina Elford and first-year Kari Schneiss.

“We had a high intensity workout week,” Grochowski said. “That definitely contributed.”

The Warriors also took the top two spots in 60-meter hurdles. Sophomore Olivia Fixsen came in first place with a time of 9.49 followed by junior Brittany Dulak with a second place time of 9.58.

The triple jump resulted in another Warrior win, with junior Andrea Bartz securing it with a leap of 36 feet, nine inches.

Sophomore Raissa Hansen earned second place in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 10:29.11, marked as the fifth-best time in Winona State history.

Third place for the 60-meter dash was taken by first-year Tamika Tucker who finished with a time of 7.96 seconds.

High jump had Warrior sophomore Amanda Schaefer in second place after hopping over five feet, four and a half inches. Meanwhile, long jump had junior Hailey Deschaine in second place with a distance of 17 feet, two and a three-quarter inches and third place held by junior Haley Rienke’s mark of 17 feet and one-half inch.

Also taking the second and third spots were Warriors in the 800-meter run. First-year Allison Johnson made a time of 2:23.12 to claim second place and was trailed by junior Madeline Tompach in third with 2:34.44.

Winona State returns to action Friday when it travels to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.