Eau Claire, Wis. (Blugolds.com)- The Blugold track and field teams had a busy weekend around the Midwest, with athletes competing at the Drake Relays, Gina Relays, and the St. Mary's University Open.

At the St. Mary's Open, the women were led by senior Marina Eggen (Sr. Greenville,Wis./Hortonville) who placed second in the long jump, with a jump of 5.28 meters.

Three Blugold freshmen added points of their own for the women, each placing third in their respective events. Claire Fischer (Fr. Appleton,Wis./North) ran 27.31 in the 200 meter dash,Lizz Ottusch (Fr. Delafield,Wis./Kettle Morraine)  jumped 1.56 in the high jump, and Michaella Hack (Fr. Fort Atkinson,Wis.) cleared 3.37 in the pole vault.

The UW-Eau Claire men competing at St. Mary's were led by Kevin Brooks (Sr. Roseville,Minn.)who won the 400 meter dash in a time of 50.03 and took third in the 200 meter dash with a time of 22.82. The 4x100 meter relay team of DJ Meagher, Cody Andrus, Michael Honer, and Matt Hartje won the event in a time of 43.16, while Matt Dietlin (Jr. Fitchburg,Wis./Verona) won the high jump with a leap of 1.96 meters.

At the Gina Relays, a highly-competitive distance meet, the trio of Darin Lau, Josh Thorson, andNick Petersson had another strong showing in the 10,000 meter run. Lau led the pack, placing third in the event with a time of 29:45.82, which currently places him fifth in the country in DIII. Thorson placed 7th in the event, with a time of 30:02.03, which ranks him eighth in the nation, while Petersson placed 18th with a time of 30:42.31, good for 20th in the country. Additionally: Josh, Darin, and Nick are also currently ranked 1st, 17th, and 19th nationally in the 5,000 meter run. 

At the historic Drake relays, the Blugolds faced some serious competition. The women's 4x100 meter relay team ofKelsey Woracheck, Chloe Malin, Ashleigh Buergi, and Stephanie Frempong-Longdon, ran a season-best time of 48.27 and placed 14th. They are the defending national champions in that event from a year ago, and have three new members of the relay this year. The women's 4x400 meter relay team of Buergi, Woracheck, Tommie Brenner, and Amber Harris ran 3:58.67 and finished 28th. That relay is also the defending national champions in that event from a year ago, and have four new members on the relay.

The UW-Eau Claire men only brought their 4x400 meter relay team to the Drake relays. The Blugolds had a solid performance, the team of Jimmy Paske, Connor Drexler, Will LaJeunesse, and Brandon Christnovich ran 3:14.13, and finished 10th.

Alex Mess (Sr. Lake Mills,Wis.), the national runner-up in the shot put this past indoor season, qualified to compete individually at the Drake Relays. The senior had a solid day of his own throwing 16.95, good for 12th place. Mess still sits 6th in the country in his event for DIII, and will undoubtedly move up the ranks in the next few weeks.

This weekend starts the most exciting time of the season for the Blugold track and field team, as they head to the 2016 WIAC Outdoor Conference Championships hosted by UW-Whitewater. 

St. Mary's Open Results | Gina Relays Results | Drake Relays Results