After a series of meets in California, the Gophers women’s track and field team finally had their first home meet of the outdoor season.
The Gary Wilson Invitational took place Wednesday, right before the Gophers hit the road again to head to the 115th Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa.
The strong performances in the various California meets helped the Gophers jump in the national rankings to No. 29, moving up over 57 places.
Redshirt sophomore Zoie Dundon and freshman Isabelle Schmitz set lifetime bests in the steeplechase at the Bryan Clay Invitational in California.
Due to their high frequency of meets, the Gophers did not compete in the Gary Wilson Invitational but worked as pacers. Depending on the event, coaches will have women sit out of certain meets so they can rest and perform better in future meets.
The Gophers performed well at meets across the country, but Dundon said she enjoys the home meets because it means family and friends can come.
“My parents don’t get to come to a lot of my meets, but I love when my parents come,” Dundon said. “If it was up to me, I would run here every single time so that they can come watch.”
For sixth-year pole vaulter Lexy Berger, the Gary Wilson Invitational was her last home meet.
Berger set her lifetime best at the meet and narrowly missed the school record on her third attempt. She spoke about how much she enjoys home meets.
“I love competing here, I love competing at home,” Berger said. “The last time I PR’d was at home, so that brings back good memories.”
Berger will be competing Friday in Iowa, and her goal before graduating is to set the school record, even if it is temporary, because she believes sophomore Sofia Condon will break it if she does not.
“Love to have that record,” Berger said. “Especially before Sofia gets it, I know she’ll get it soon.”
For redshirt sophomore throwers Anthonett Nabwe and Hadley Streit, being at home means familiarity.
“We’re used to the rings, so that plays a lot into it,” Nabwe said. “It does have an advantage.”
Streit said that she agreed on the benefits of competing at home.
“I do tend to throw well at home,” Streit said. “The rings are going to have a different texture everywhere you go, so we’re more used to it here.”
The invitational saw Nabwe and Streit take first and second in every event they competed in.
The Gary Wilson Invitation was the Gophers’ first and last home meet of the outdoor season.