Pioneers Open Season With Three Women Winning at Grand Valley State

The Pioneers opened the season competing at the Bob Eubanks Open hosted by Grand Valley State in Allendale, Michigan. Sophomore Rachel Beuthin, the Pioneers lone returning individual national qualifier, opened the season with a 13.84m (45-5) shot put which currently ranks her third in the nation. Coming off of a national qualifying cross country season, sophomore Johanna Meister won the 800m with a time of 2:19.11. Meister was followed closely by freshman teammate Kaitlyn Galgon in 2:20.63.

Junior school record holder Brittany Ehlen opened the season winning the pole vault with a mark of 3.32m (10-10.75).

Also placing high were Janelle Ferguson finishing eight in the mile with a time of 5:18.60 and Katie Schilling who finished eighth in the 60m hurdles running 9.58 seconds.

The 4x400m relay of Katheryn Holter, Katie Schilling, Kayla Schneider, Briana Iwans finished fifth in a time of 4:09.35.

Notably Brianna Hall broke into the Pioneer's top-10 list with a weight throw toss of 13.75m (45-1.5).

Following a successful cross country season, the duo of Zach Lee and Walker Rynes led the charge with a pair of third place finishes for the men. Lee finished the mile with a time of 4:17.68 while Rynes crossed the 3,000 meters with a time of 8:33.16. Joining them with third place finishes were sophomore Charlie Gifford finishing the 60 meter hurdles in 8.55 seconds and Sophomore Noah Steiner with a high jump clearance of 1.93m (6-4).

Senior Josh Miller was fourth in the pole vault with a clearance of 4.50m (14-9) while the men's 4 x 400 meter relay of Riley Bendorf, Zach Frei, Blake DeMunck, and Kyle Buechner finished fourth with a time of 3:26.15.

Also placing high were Sophomore Matt Hokanson finishing sixth in the 60 meter hurdles in 8.68 seconds. Freshman Cole Eastlick finished sixth in the shot put with a mark of 14.21m (46-7.5) and freshman Zach Frei was sixth in the 200 meter crossing the finish in 22.95 seconds.

The Grand Valley State facilities featured a 300 meter track which will cause the times to be converted for the WIAC Honor Roll.

The Pioneers will host a triangular with UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stevens Point on Saturday next week. Field events will begin at noon and running events will go off at 12:30pm.