BRIGGS, TIGERS FACE STIFF COMPETITION AT SDSU HOLIDAY OPEN
BROOKINGS, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University men's and women's track and field team commenced the 2021-22 campaign versus stiff competition on Friday and Saturday competing against other NCAA Division I, Division II and NAIA teams at the South Dakota State University Holiday Open from the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex in Brookings, S.D. In spite of the heap of talent, sophomore DWU thrower Katlyn Briggs made a splash setting a new program record in the women's weight throw while hitting the NAIA National 'A' Standard in the event.
BROOKINGS, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University men's and women's track and field team commenced the 2021-22 campaign versus stiff competition on Friday and Saturday competing against other NCAA Division I, Division II and NAIA teams at the South Dakota State University Holiday Open from the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex in Brookings, S.D. In spite of the heap of talent, sophomore DWU thrower Katlyn Briggs made a splash setting a new program record in the women's weight throw while hitting the NAIA National 'A' Standard in the event.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Briggs, along with fellow DWU throw's specialist Morgan Taft, came away with a pair of top-15 finishes in the weight throw to kick off Friday's action for Dakota Wesleyan. Briggs secured a 10th-place performance with a mark of 54-0.5 feet (16.47m) while Taft ended the day in the 13th place with a distance of 51-0 feet (15.54m).
Meanwhile, also in the throwing ring, Ryan Kienzle and Chris Zanotto registered a pair of top-20 placings as Kienzle notched a throw of 50-9.5 feet (15.48m) while Zanotto hit a distance of 48-11.5 feet (14.92m). With his finish, Kienzle now moves into sixth all-time in program history in the event.
Senior Caden Milmine tallied an 11th-place finish after dialing a throw of 46-10.75 feet (14.29m) in the shot put while Kienzle, the junior from Gillette, Wyo. also placed in the top-15. On the women's side of the shot put competition, sophomore Lila Gronseth moved into eighth place all-time in program history in the event with a throw of 38.75 feet (11.60m).
On the runway, Lia Guigui came away with a jump of 15-9.5 feet (4.81m) in the women's long jump while Austin Hughes secured a leap of 19 feet (5.79m) in the men's event.
Hughes, who also hit the starting blocks in the 60-meter dash, registered a time of 7.32 seconds and crossed the finish line in 23.79 in the 200-meter dash. In the women's 60-meter dash, Guigui posted a finish of 8.47 while Long ended the women's 60-meter hurdles by clocking a time of 10.82.
Rounding out the Tiger's opening meet, Kienzle and Briggs wrapped up the competition on Saturday in the discus event. Briggs paced the Blue and Gray entries with a best of 125-11 feet (38.38m) while Kienzle hit a distance of 137-6.75 feet (41.93m) good enough for 13th in the standings.
UP NEXT
Briggs and the Tigers hit the track once again next weekend with the DWU Early Bird Invite on Friday and Saturday from the DWU Avera Sports and Wellness Complex in Mitchell, S.D. Starting times for the meet have yet to be announced.
For a complete listing of all Dakota Wesleyan track and field results from the SDSU Holiday Open, click on the link below:
