The Red Raider track and field team competed this past Saturday, Feb. 22 at the GPAC Indoor Championships in Crete, Nebraska. After an early morning full of last-minute transportation changes, coaches and athletes arrived at Doane’s indoor track ready to compete and contend for their spot in the conference.
Freshman Kennedy Kramer stole the show for the women’s team, taking home the lone GPAC champion title in the open 400 meter dash as well as setting school record in the 200 meter and 400 meter dashes. Freshman pole vaulter Erin Hulberg also broke her own record in her event and hit the provisional mark in addition to placing third overall in the conference. Sophomore Katlyn Weise personally scored 10 points for the Raiders with a hefty double in the 3000 meter and 5000-meter runs. Seniors Lindsay Craig and Morgan Marker both hit provisional marks in their respective events of the pentathlon and the mile. Junior Abby Clarke ran a personal best in the 600 meter dash and hit the automatic qualifying mark for NAIA Indoor Nationals. As a team, the women placed fifth overall in the GPAC.
For the men, sophomore Lorenzo Jones took home the runner-up title in the triple jump. The men’s 4×800 meter relay consisting of sophomore Wyatt Pryor, seniors Peyton Brasser and Isaiah Lee and freshman Trey Englemann also scored points for the Raiders by finishing second place. Senior Ian Wiersma ran a personal best in the 5000-meter run, finishing fifth. Both juniors Ben Thelander and Bryce Paulsen posted personal bests in the heptathlon and have hit the provisional mark. As a team, the men finished sixth overall in the GPAC.
“I was very impressed at how the men and women on our team rose to the high level of their competition at the GPAC ITF Championship on Friday and Saturday. Our men had 18 personal bests and our women posted 14 personal bests,” said head coach Scott Bahrke.
“Everyone competed well and left it all on the track. We have a tough conference, so it was fun to see everyone rise to such a high level of competition.” Weise said.
Those who are declared and qualified for the NAIA Indoor Championships will compete March 3-5 in Brookings, South Dakota. The Raiders will resume their outdoor season on March 26 at the Buena Vista University Invite in Storm Lake, Iowa. 
