PAIR OF TIGER VICTORIES HIGHLIGHTS MOUNT MARTY INVITE

YANKTON, S.D. – Two members of the Dakota Wesleyan University track and field program came away with first-place finishes as the Tigers competed at the Mount Marty Invite on Saturday from the Ruth Donohoe First Dakota Fieldhouse in Yankton, S.D. Sophomore thrower Katlyn Briggs continued her dominance with a victory in the women's weight throw while senior Lia Guigui captured the event title in the women's high jump.

 "Following two tough weeks of competitions, this week the team came together and cemented easily the best week of practice," commented first-year Dakota Wesleyan track and field director Matthew Rosado on the squad's preparation leading up to today's competition.

 HOW IT HAPPENED

 Dakota Wesleyan's preparation was apparent beginning with Briggs, who captured the victory in the weight throw thanks to a mark of 52-0 to kick off the meet for the Tigers while DWU senior Morgan Taft finished the event just inches behind the leader good enough for second place. Taft dialed a mark of 51-9.25 while Darby Deffenbaugh and Lila Gronseth also competed in the throwing ring.

 Meanwhile, Guigui excelled through the high jump, successfully clearing 4-11.75 and 5-1.75. After three great looks at 5-3.75, the Rapid City, S.D., native claimed the women's high jump title. Though not done for the day, the Tiger jumps specialist rounded out the meet with a runner-up performance in the long jump with a leap of 16-07 while Avany Long placed fourth (15-9.75), and Taylor Pourier finished sixth (15-0.75).

 "Today was a steppingstone into what we want to become as a team," expressed Rosado on the team's overall performance. "I am super proud of these efforts as this progression and preparation will carry us through the season."

 Elsewhere in the field events, Caden Milmine improved on his NAIA 'A' standard in the shot put with a fourth-place performance. The Buffalo, Wyo., native came in second amongst NAIA competitors after a throw of 52-3.25 on his second-to-last attempt. In the women's competition, Gronseth secured a sixth-place finish (38-10.25) while Taft finished in eighth (37-9.25).

 Other Tigers with top-10 placings included Cale Strong, who placed third and sixth in the men's triple jump and long jump competitions, respectively. In the women's triple jump, Ashtyn Evans registered a leap of 32-07 good enough for seventh while Ryley Johansen finished sixth in the men's high jump standings. Chris Zanotto finished the day for Dakota Wesleyan in eighth (50-04) at the conclusion of the men's weight throw.

 UP NEXT

 The Tiger track and field program remains in-state once again at the University of South Dakota Alumni Meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday from the Mildred Hillenbrand Memorial Track in Vermillion, S.D.

 Full DWU Women's Results
60m Dash Prelims
13^th – Avany Long – 8.61
16^th – Taylor Pourier – 8.68

 200m Dash
Avany Long – 29.12

4x400m Relay
8^th  – Ashtyn Evans, Taylor Pourier, Avany Long, Abbigail Ferris - 4:46.62
 
High Jump
1st – Lia Guigui - 5-02
 
Long Jump
2^nd – Lia Guigui  – 16-07

4^th – Avany Long – 15-9.75
6^th – Taylor Pourier – 15-0.75

13^th – Abbigail Ferris – 12-9.25
 
Triple Jump
7^th – Ashtyn Evans – 32-07

 Shot Put
6^th – Lila Gronseth – 38-10.25
8^th – Morgan Taft – 37-9.25

 Weight Throw
1st – Katlyn Briggs – 52-0
2nd – Morgan Taft – 51-9.25
9th – Darby Deffenbaugh – 44-7.5

15th – Lila Gronseth – 41-1.75

 Full DWU Men's Results

200m Dash
 Austin Hughes - 24.38
Cobey Carr – 26.19

400m Dash
 Austin Hughes  – 54.67
Justin Schumacher  – 59.80
 
600m Run
14^th  – Zach Fieber – 1:30.68

4x400m Relay
12^th  -  Austin Hughes, Ryley Johansen, Nate Rupprecht,  Zach Fieber - 3:42.26  

High Jump
6^th – Ryley Johansen  – 6-01
  
Long Jump
6^th – Cale Strong – 19-10.75
12^th – Cobey Carr - 18-8.75

 Triple Jump
3rd - Cale Strong – 41-10.5
 
Shot Put
4^th – Caden Milmine – 52-3.25

 Weight Throw

8th – Chris Zanotto – 50-04