Keller, Koppelman set records at Sevigne Husker Invitational

LINCOLN, Neb./MINNEAPOLIS - Olivia Keller and Morgan Koppelman delivered a pair of program records for St. Thomas women's track & field while the men's team totaled five top 10 program marks over the weekend at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational & Multi in Lincoln, Neb., and the Gopher Classic in Minneapolis.

WOMEN
The Tommie women led the weekend with a series of historic performances, headlined by junior Morgan Koppelman, who cleared 3.93 meters to win the pole vault at the Sevigne Invitational and set a program record. Her mark ranks 20th in the Midwest and sixth in the Summit League this season.

Senior Olivia Keller followed with another milestone performance in the pentathlon, scoring 3,863 points to place third in Lincoln and re-establish her program record. Keller's total ranks 48th nationally, 17th in the Midwest and second in the Summit League this winter.

Freshman Layla Vennink recorded two top-three finishes while climbing the program record lists, finishing third in the mile (4:52.38) and eighth in the 800 meters (2:12.80)—both marks ranking second in program history and inside the Summit League top 10. Elsie Kmecak added a fifth-best program mark in the 3000 meters (9:56.55), while Olivia Pauly posted a sixth-best mile time in school history and won the 3000 meter run (9:47.09).

Freshman Jayi Wilson tied for third in program history in the 60 meters (7.61), freshman Katelyn Wozniak moved to fifth all time in the 400 meters (57.83) and the 4x400 relay of Tessa Campbell, Rebecca Randleman, Kendall Hagness and Brooke Hohenecker clocked 3:53.60, the fifth-fastest in program history.

Across both meets, the Tommies totaled two event wins and three top-three finishes at the Sevigne Invitational, while adding two event victories and four podium finishes at the Gopher Classic, capped by wins from Hannah Dumansky in the 3000 meters and Ava Wilber in the long jump.

MEN
On the men's side, St. Thomas also delivered multiple top-10 program marks. Sophomore Sam Hebert led the way with a 48.69 in the 400 meters, placing third at the Sevigne Invitational and moving to fourth in program history, while ranking fifth in the Summit League this season.

Junior Johnny Bezdicek followed closely with a 48.85 in the 400 meters, good for sixth all time at St. Thomas and seventh in the Summit League this season. In the hurdles, Braeden Brouwer ran 8.21 in the 60-meter hurdles prelims, placing ninth and climbing to fourth in program history, while freshman Barak Barner added a sixth-best program mark at 8.32.

Field events also produced all-time movement, as junior Trever Schirmer threw 16.09 meters in the shot put at the Gopher Classic, placing fifth and ranking ninth in program history.

Overall, the Tommie men recorded one top-three finish at the Sevigne Invitational and one podium finish at the Gopher Classic.

QUOTABLES
Women's Head Coach Ashley Lucas:
"I thought this weekend was another step forward. For the crew in Nebraska, it was a great opportunity to go up against some very stiff competition. Morgan started us off with great momentum in breaking her record in the pole vault followed closely by Liv (Keller) breaking the pentathlon record again. I was impressed by the women who ran the 60m dash and I thought the mid-distance/distance crew doubled really well over the weekend adding multiple top 10 marks, especially Layla in the mile and 800m run.

"A lot of women took advantage of the opportunity to compete at Minnesota. Ava Wolfe ran really well and Alaina had a great day of throwing with multiple others achieving nice personal bests.

"We are definitely in the main part of the indoor season now just a few short weeks away from the Summit League Indoor Championship so it's time to really lock in as we head to South Dakota State this coming week."

Men's Head Coach Pete Wareham:
"We had good things happen at both Nebraska and the University of Minnesota this weekend. We are moving in the right direction as we approach the Summit League Championship in a couple of weeks.

"Our sprint group did very well with Sam Hebert running a strong race after coming back from an injury. Braeden Brouwer continues to look very good and so does Trever Schirmer. In order for us to be our best we will need some people to emerge this season and Henry Skinner is going in that direction.

"This week we will be at South Dakota State and it is an important tuneup for all of our athletes to get their final marks in to set themselves up for the championship. We are really looking forward to it."

UP NEXT
St. Thomas next sends its women's and men's programs to the SDSU Indoor Classic Feb. 13-14 in Brookings, S.D.

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 --

Keller, Koppelman set records at Sevigne Husker Invitational

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Players Mentioned

Barak Barner

Braeden Brouwer

Tessa Campbell

Hannah Dumansky

Kendall Hagness

Sam Hebert

Brooke Hohenecker

Olivia Keller

Elsie Kmecak

Morgan Koppelman

Olivia Pauly

Rebecca Randleman

Trever Schirmer

Henry Skinner

Layla Vennink

Ava Wilber

Jayi Wilson

Ava Wolfe

Katelyn Wozniak

University of St. Thomas Athletics