Smith Sets Michigan Tech Track and Field Record

DULUTH, Minn. – Neither the wind nor the cold could slow Michigan Tech’s Jill Smith down on her way to a school record run in the 10,000-meter Friday (April 22) at the North Country Invite. She won the 25-lap race in a time of 38:53.41. The previous record of 39:03.80 was set by Kristina Owen in 2006.

The Michigan Tech track and field teams posted seven other event wins on the day, including four in the sprints.

Quinn Parnell won both the 100 (11.00) and 200 (22.44), while teammate Akeem Cason was second in both events (11.07, 22.69). The pair also teamed up with Pat Loew and Tylor Rathsack to take top honors in the 4×100-meter relay in a time of 42.99, fifth fastest in school history.

Nathan Saliga squeaked out a win in the 400-meter dash by one-one hundredth of a second in 50.56. He also led the 4×400 relay to a third place finish in 3:38.99. Other members of the relay team included Steven Saliga, Pat Spalding and Rathsack.

Molly Wiltzius enjoyed another great day in the throwing circle. She won the discus with a throw of 126-7, the sixth best throw in school history. She also finished sixth in the hammer throw with a toss of 133-5, the ninth best in school history.

Deedra Irwin won the 800-meter run (2:23.02) and finished fourth in the 1,500 (5:02.28). Teammate Sydney Bruestle was fifth in the 1,500 in 5:03.94.

The Huskies finished first and second in the women’s 3,000-meter run with Bruestle taking the win in 11:09.33 and Christina Mischica second in 11:19.38.

The brother-sister combo of Jared and Natalie Berryman had strong finishes in the shot put. Jared was second (45-5.75) and Natalie was fifth (32-7.5).

The Huskies had seven other top-five finishes; Ben Kalis finished second in the 110-meter hurdles (15.77), Dylan Anderson fourth in the 1,500 (4:16.77), Nick Wimmer fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (10:23.22), Nikki Kiilunen fourth in the 5,000-meter run (19:34.43), Marissa Yovetich fifth in the 3,000-meter run (11:45.00), Scott Kentner fifth in the 5,000-meter run (16:23.48) and Stephen Rummel-Chadderdon fifth in the discus (127-3).

No team scores were kept.

The teams will return to action at the GLIAC Championships May 4-6.