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UMD track gains momentum for conference championships
BY ERIK ELSBERRY
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
iISSUE: 78/30
UMD track had another good outing last weekend at the St. Thomas Invitational, which was intended to be held in St. Paul, but was moved to St. Olaf due to weather conditions. Junior captain Liz Palkie won the 800-meter event with a time of 2:12.18, which was good enough for a national provisional qualification, according to an e-mail from head coach John Fulkrod. Senior Jared Clementson won the same event on the men’s side with a time of 1:52.48, and also earned a national provisional qualification.
Other notable finishes on the women’s side came from sophomore Rebekah Kok, who finished second in the 100-meter hurtles, and freshman Whitney Hines, won the 3000-meter run. On the men’s team, junior Eric Atkinson won the steeplechase and welcomed the impressive finish before the North Central Conference (NCC) Championships. “It was nice to get a little confidence boost with a win right before conference,” said Atkinson.
Even with the win, Atkinson still feels he has room to improve. “The race as a whole didn’t go too well, and I had a couple mishaps over a couple barriers,” Atkinson said. Freshman Bobby Downs recorded a personal record in the pole fault with a height of 15’0”. Freshman Dan Larson finished second in the javelin, while senior Pete Klopp finished fourth in the same event.
Fulkrod is optimistic heading into the conference finals. “We are coming along just great,” said Fulkrod. “We are getting several people back healthy just in time for conference.” Fulkrod’s goal for the men’s team is to finish third behind powerhouse teams from the University of South Dakota and Minnesota State University-Mankato.
The women’s competition will be very tough, as several athletes competing are highly ranked nationally. Fulkrod hopes the women can earn a fourth or fifth place finish. The NCC outdoor championships will be held this weekend in Sioux Falls, S.D.
