University of St. Thomas Athletics
Saturday, January 24
Brookings, S.D.
1:30 p.m. CT
vs
Jim Emmerich Alumni Meet
Photo by: Collin Boyles
Women’s 800m record broken at Jim Emmerich Alumni Meet
1/25/2026 9:48:00 AM | Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
Men take third behind several season- and program-ranking performances
BROOKINGS, S.D. - St. Thomas delivered another productive weekend on the track Saturday at the Jim Emmerich Alumni Meet, turning in podium finishes on both sides and adding a program record as the Tommies placed third on the men's and women's sides in Brookings, S.D.
WOMEN
The Tommie women finished third among five teams, highlighted by an event win in the 60-meter dash and a new program record in the 800m. Senior Olivia Keller continued her record-setting season with a time of 2:10.75 in the 800m run, breaking her own program mark and ranking second in the Summit League this season. Danika Apple claimed the lone event victory for St. Thomas, winning the 60m dash in 7.55, while the Tommies totaled eight top-five finishes across the meet.
St. Thomas also stacked multiple program top-10 performances. Three Tommies set No. 2 program marks on the day including Olivia Pauly in the 3,000m run (9:44.39, second in the Summit League), Brooke Wisdom in the pole vault (3.80m) and freshman Aliana French in the shot put (13.54m). Alexis Pratt posted the No. 3 time in program history in the 60m at 7.61 and added a strong 200m showing in 24.62 (7th in the Summit League), while Cassia Cady clocked the No. 10 mark in the 200m. Freshman Tessa Campbell recorded the No. 10 time in the 400m, Layla Vennink delivered the No. 5 time in the mile, and a No. 5-ranked 4x400m relay.
MEN
The Tommie men placed third out of four teams, paced by one top-five finish and several season- and program-ranking performances. Sophomore Riddik Collier led the way with a third-place showing in the 60m dash, clocking a 6.93 in the final after running 6.91 in the qualifying round.
Freshman Barak Barner continued to climb the program charts in the 60m hurdles, recording the No. 5 time in school history at 8.34 while finishing fourth at the meet. The Tommies also found success on the track in the sprints and middle distances, as Jayson Koel placed fourth in both the 60m and 200m, while Johnny Bezdicek's 200m time ranked eighth in the Summit League this season. Landon Deneen tied the No. 11 time in school history in the 400m and Brock Bjerke tied the program's 12th ranked mark in the 800m.
QUOTABLES
Men's Head Coach Pete Wareham:
"Today's meet was a great opportunity to go head-to-head with the perennial top teams in the conference. It was nice to see how we currently fit in and recognize what we need to do moving forward. Our conference is very strong.
"Jayson Koel and Landon Deneen had nice races. Barak Barner had a nice hurdle race. In addition, Brock Bjerke looked great at 800m.
"Many races are won by just fractions of a second or just a few centimeters, so we need to find a way to be on the good side of that part of the sport. We are looking to do this moving ahead."
Women's Head Coach Ashley Lucas:
"Today was a mixed bag of results. There were definitely some bright spots: Olivia (Keller) breaking the 800-meter school record, Alaina throwing really well, Layla in her first mile, Olivia (Pauly) and Sophie in the 3,000 meter, and Danika and Alexis in the 60 meter and 200 meter.
"I have since challenged the women to step up and not be complacent with where they are at. We have a lot of work to do to accomplish what we set out to do. We need more grit, more fire. But I believe they are all up for the challenge and will come back stronger next week."
UP NEXT
St. Thomas travels to Mankato, Minn., Jan. 30-31 for the Mark Schuck Open & Multi hosted by Minnesota State University, Mankato.
FOLLOW ALONG
For more information on St. Thomas Men's and Women's Track & Field, follow along on Twitter at @TommieXCTF. Follow both programs on Instagram at @tommiewxctf and @tommiemtfxc
-- St. Thomas Athletics --
WOMEN
The Tommie women finished third among five teams, highlighted by an event win in the 60-meter dash and a new program record in the 800m. Senior Olivia Keller continued her record-setting season with a time of 2:10.75 in the 800m run, breaking her own program mark and ranking second in the Summit League this season. Danika Apple claimed the lone event victory for St. Thomas, winning the 60m dash in 7.55, while the Tommies totaled eight top-five finishes across the meet.
St. Thomas also stacked multiple program top-10 performances. Three Tommies set No. 2 program marks on the day including Olivia Pauly in the 3,000m run (9:44.39, second in the Summit League), Brooke Wisdom in the pole vault (3.80m) and freshman Aliana French in the shot put (13.54m). Alexis Pratt posted the No. 3 time in program history in the 60m at 7.61 and added a strong 200m showing in 24.62 (7th in the Summit League), while Cassia Cady clocked the No. 10 mark in the 200m. Freshman Tessa Campbell recorded the No. 10 time in the 400m, Layla Vennink delivered the No. 5 time in the mile, and a No. 5-ranked 4x400m relay.
MEN
The Tommie men placed third out of four teams, paced by one top-five finish and several season- and program-ranking performances. Sophomore Riddik Collier led the way with a third-place showing in the 60m dash, clocking a 6.93 in the final after running 6.91 in the qualifying round.
Freshman Barak Barner continued to climb the program charts in the 60m hurdles, recording the No. 5 time in school history at 8.34 while finishing fourth at the meet. The Tommies also found success on the track in the sprints and middle distances, as Jayson Koel placed fourth in both the 60m and 200m, while Johnny Bezdicek's 200m time ranked eighth in the Summit League this season. Landon Deneen tied the No. 11 time in school history in the 400m and Brock Bjerke tied the program's 12th ranked mark in the 800m.
QUOTABLES
Men's Head Coach Pete Wareham:
"Today's meet was a great opportunity to go head-to-head with the perennial top teams in the conference. It was nice to see how we currently fit in and recognize what we need to do moving forward. Our conference is very strong.
"Jayson Koel and Landon Deneen had nice races. Barak Barner had a nice hurdle race. In addition, Brock Bjerke looked great at 800m.
"Many races are won by just fractions of a second or just a few centimeters, so we need to find a way to be on the good side of that part of the sport. We are looking to do this moving ahead."
Women's Head Coach Ashley Lucas:
"Today was a mixed bag of results. There were definitely some bright spots: Olivia (Keller) breaking the 800-meter school record, Alaina throwing really well, Layla in her first mile, Olivia (Pauly) and Sophie in the 3,000 meter, and Danika and Alexis in the 60 meter and 200 meter.
"I have since challenged the women to step up and not be complacent with where they are at. We have a lot of work to do to accomplish what we set out to do. We need more grit, more fire. But I believe they are all up for the challenge and will come back stronger next week."
UP NEXT
St. Thomas travels to Mankato, Minn., Jan. 30-31 for the Mark Schuck Open & Multi hosted by Minnesota State University, Mankato.
FOLLOW ALONG
For more information on St. Thomas Men's and Women's Track & Field, follow along on Twitter at @TommieXCTF. Follow both programs on Instagram at @tommiewxctf and @tommiemtfxc
-- St. Thomas Athletics --
Players Mentioned
Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Sprints/Jumps
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track & Field
Multis
/ Men's Track & Field
Multis
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Jumps/Pole Vault
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