LA CROSSE, Wis. — On a day featuring cold weather, steady rain and periodic delays, the Winona State University track and field team battled the elements and a nine-team field to finish in third place at the Phil Esten Invitational on Friday.
It wasn’t anything the Warriors weren’t used to.
“The Augustana meet was cold and windy, the Oshkosh meet was cold, and the Eau Claire meet was canceled because of snow,” WSU coach Mason Rebarchek said. “Welcome to track and field in the Midwest.”
Despite the conditions, freshman Emily Asuncion finished the 100-meter hurdles in 15.65 seconds to finish in second place, and sophomore Kaitlyn Jensen (15.98 seconds) followed in third. Both set personal bests in the event.
WSU sophomore Chelsey Brown won the shot put (39-1/2) and placed third in the hammer throw (143-7).
Nicci Johnson placed second in the 400-meter dash (59.22 seconds), and teammate Jennifer Bradford finished third (59.74 seconds).
Rebecca Stier finished second in the shot put (38-5), and Jensen added a third-place finish in the long jump (16-4 ¼).
“We had a lot of cold, wet people, but you have to do what you have to do,” Rebarchek said.