Pioneers name athletes of the week, Hoeppner earns WIAC Kwik Trip honors

Women's Track - Johanna Meister, Senior (Darlington, Wis./Darlington) – Mid-Distance

Meister placed in three events at this past weekends WIAC Indoor Conference Championships on Friday and Saturday, February 28-29th. Meister started off Friday by placing 2^nd in the mile with a personal best time of 5:05.88 and then came back the same day to help the women's Distance Medley Relay place 7^th.  On Saturday, she finished 2^nd in the 800 meters and then 7^th in the 4x400. 

Softball - Ashton Hoeppner, Junior (Winona, Minn./Senior) – Pitcher

Hoeppner started the 2020 season 2-0 in Rochester, Minn. this weekend. She picked up her first win with a shutout against Nebraska Wesleyan on Saturday, February 29^th. Hoeppner threw seven innings with five strike outs and only allowed one hit. Hoeppner picked up her second win of the season Sunday, March 1^st against St. Catherine University. Hoeppner also threw a shutout seven innings with six strike outs and only allowed two hits.

*Also named WIAC Kwik Trip Athlete of the Week

Softball - Fielder - Rachel Bonnell, Senior (Byron, Ill./Byron) – Center Fielder

Bonnell began her season with a four-game hitting streak and went 6-for-12 at the plate with one double, two RBIs and two runs scored in a 2-2 week for the Pioneers. She led the team to 2-0 opening game win over Nebraska Wesleyan on Saturday, February 29^th by going 3-for-3 and adding an RBI. Bonnell went 1-for-3 in the 0-5 loss to Dubuque on Saturday before scoring the winning run against St. Catherine in a 1-0 win on Sunday, March 1^st. Bonnell went 1-for-3 in the win. Bonnell again went 1-for-3 with a double, one RBI and a run scored in the 2-8 loss to Luther on Sunday.  

Men's Track - Charlie Gifford, Senior (Menasha, Wis./Menasha) - 60m Hurdles

Gifford won the 60 meter hurdles at this past weekend at the WIAC Indoor Conference Championships on Saturday, February 29th.  His time of 8.15 currently ranks him #11 NCAA National Qualifying List.