MILMINE HIGHLIGHTS FINAL DAY FOR THE TIGERS WITH AN ALL-AMERICAN DISTINCTION

Gulf Shores, Ala. – Dakota Wesleyan Track and Field battled through some unfavorable weather during the three days from the south with wet days and multiple meet schedule changes. 

How It Happened

Day One:

Senior Morgan Taft and sophomore Katlyn Briggs got the NAIA National Outdoor Track and Field meet started for DWU in the hammer throw Wednesday. Taft tossed her best mark of 157' 6" for 17th place. Briggs was unable to get a mark in her opening event from Alabama on Wednesday.

Assistant coach Aschemann spoke on opening day of nationals stating, " I'm happy with how both girls competed. It wasn't exactly the results we were hoping for, but all and all still a solid day of competing at the National Championship. Taft had her second-best series of the year and Briggs got some very solid experience on a national stage to help her moving forward into Friday."

Day Two:

Sophomore Lila Gronseth was the lone student-athlete competing on day two for DWU track and field. After a short weather delay to kick off Thursdays events; Gronseth got her chance at an All-American or top-10 finish in the shot put. Gronseth tossed her best mark of the day, with a 42-feet and 2 ¾ inches for 17th place. 

Day Three:

Senior Caden Milmine highlighted the final day for the Tigers in Gulf Shores, Alabama as Briggs and Lia Guigui also competed in their respective events of discus and high jump. Milmineclosed his final chapter as a Tiger notching an All-American birth after a shot put throw of 54 feet a 1 ¾ inches to garner a seventh place finish. In the high jump, Guigui tallied a 20th place finish after a mark of 5 feet and 2 ½ inches. Briggs wrapped up her sophomore season and first appearance on the national stage in the discus throw, tossing a mark of 125 feet and seven inches. Briggs toss set her in 26th place after the conclusion of day three.

First year head coach Rosado spoke about the overall performance during the three-day national championship meet, stating, "although we didn't walk away with as many All-Americans as we would have liked, I'm proud of how this group of student-athletes competed. They went after every mark and I believe they walked away better athletes for it. The icing on the cake for the week was Milmines seventh-place finish for his second All-American award of his career. His demeanor all week was that of a champion and we knew he wouldn't walk away without any hardware. To the seniors Taft, Guigui, and Milmine; I want to express my deepest gratitude for leaving this program in a great place and helping me to understand what it means to be a DWU Tiger. We will miss their leadership and presence, but I know they will do amazing things in the next stage of their lives."

Up Next

Dakota Wesleyan track and field says thank you to the graduating seniors of 2022 as head coach Rosado and assistant coach Aschemann begin to prepare for the 2022-23 season that will be shooting out of the blocks before we know it