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The Unviersity of Minnesota Duluth track and field got underway with their first outdoor meet of the season, competing at the Hamline University Invite Friday, April 6. The meet consisted of Division I, Division II, and Division III schools competing. 

The women had a strong day back on the track as junior Kari Novotny started the season off right, provisionally qualifying for the NCAA II outdoor championships and breaking the school record which she set in 2011. Novotny jumped a height of 11'7.75, and placing third overall, finishing behind two vaulters from the University of Minnesota. Also having a solid performance was freshman Chanel Miller started off strong winning the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 15.15 in the finals race.  She was followed by teammate junior Rebecca Lee (5th, 15.77). Senior Morgan Place also had a nice finish as she won the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 10:59.00, just five seconds off of a school record. Senior Megan Stroh earned a fourth place finish in the hammer throw with a toss of 157'02", seniorCarrie Wardell claimed a fourth place finish in the 800-meter run (2:18.50) in a very tight race, and sophomore Erin Jennings and freshman Alex Klos finished fourth (1:07.73) and fifth(1:09.41) in the 400-meter hurdles.

The men also had a good first meet of the outdoor season. Senior Jared Grams came out flying in the 100-meter dash with a fifth place finish, and a time of 11.28, while teammate sophomore Jake Nelson was right behind him in seventh place and a time of 11.29. Senior Robbie Jenson earned a fourth place finish in the 800-meter run (1:57.99) and sophomore Jimmy Hosey captured a sixth place finish (1:58.67). The 3,000-meter steeplechase earned UMD a one through four finish with senior Kyle Larson leading the pack with a time of 9:34.38. He was followed by teammate sophomore Tyler Stevens (2nd, 9:49.40), junior Robert Kostick (3rd, 9:58.47) and junior Tim Lasch (4th, 10:08.45). Sophomore Nathan Knop captured second place in the javelin, with toss of 166'09", junior Andy Heffele placed fifth in the high jump (6'0"), and sophomore Nick Pedersen came in sixth place in the long jump (21'08.25").

Next up for the Bulldogs will be the Falcon Invitional hosted by the University of Wisconsin River Falls, which will be a two day meet next Friday (April 13) and Saturday (April 14).