The temperature in Waco, Texas this weekend hit a low of 37 degrees, but that didn’t stop Minnesota from competing.
The No. 13 Gophers went to the Baylor Invitational in Waco, Texas on Saturday, where they left with 11 titles.
“They had really really bad weather here,” head coach Matt Bingle said. “It was one of those days where I felt good with how we came to compete. You may not get the marks that you want, but they did a really good job of kinda coming in and doing their best and staying focused.”
Emma Spagnola paved the way for Minnesota in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:00.01, Rachel Schow finished second at 1:00.65, Erin Huls came in at third in 1:01.72, and Lindsey Smits ran a 1:02.32 to finish fourth. Spagnola also won the 100-meter hurdles at 13.51.
“It was a little different just because it was extremely cold outside,” Spagnola said. “I just kind of went into it like just compete against all the other girls in the heat.”
Lorean Murray won the triple jump at 40 feet. Karlie Place won the pole vault at a mark of 12 feet, 8.75 inches. Heta Tuuri won high jump for Minnesota at 5 feet, 9 inches.
Emerald Egwim ran 53.99 in the 400 meters to win the event. Paige Peschel took home another track event for Minnesota as she won the 800 meters at 2:13.58
Temi Ogunrinde, Nicolle Murphy and Agnes Esser all kept up their hot starts as they each won their third titles in their events.
Ogunrinde won the hammer throw and led a trio of Minnesota finishers at 203 feet, 10 inches. Esser threw for second with a mark of 201 feet and 2 inches while Nayoka Clunis threw 188 feet, 7 inches for third.
Esser won the discus throw at 177 feet, 7 inches and Murphy won the javelin throwing 178 feet, 4 inches. In the shot, the Gophers finished first and second with Kiley Sabin throwing 51 feet, 5.5 inches to win the event and Shay Nielsen at 47 feet for second.
“It’s been really fun, I’ve enjoyed it,” Esser said. “What’s been different this year more than other years is I feel more confident and my course load. I’m not taking hard classes this year which makes me able go into each competition ready to compete and give it my all.”
