Morningside garners multiple upper-echelon marks

YANKTON, S.D. – A trio of seniors propelled a strong day for Morningside University Saturday, Jan. 29.

Emalee Fundermann (Anthon, Iowa) clocked a converted 3:04.05 time in the 1000 meters to rise into the top 25 (No. 16) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Track and Field Results Reporting System. It was the second successive weekend for her to do so after notching the 22^nd-fastest time in the 800 at South Dakota State University. 

Ro Paschal (Mancos, Colo.) caught a similar ranking in the best 50. A career personal best converted 8:46.44 in the 3000 meters defeated the Mount Marty University Open field by more than five seconds for the championship and the 48^th-quickest mark in the country. His third-such effort was joining a No. 20 slot in the 1000 and No. 29 listing in the mile.

Zach Ambrose (Dunlap, Iowa), a third senior team member, also rocketed up the national performance list. His converted 1:56.13 in the 800 put him 32^nd.

Ambrose and Fundermann were both second in their events. Looking further, senior Jo McKibben (Mapleton, Iowa) ran to a runner-up mark in the 800 followed by sophomore Michelle Sanchez (Sioux City, Iowa), who placed third, and sophomore Emily Chicoine (Graettinger, Iowa) took fifth; the women's 4x400 meter quartet of McKibben, Fundermann, Chicoine and senior Tenna Beel (Stanton, Neb.) placed third as did senior Kristine Honomichl (Westminster, Colo.) in the 3000 meters; and freshman Kadyn Cline (Spencer, Iowa) was fourth in the 600 and part of the fourth-place 4x400 meter relay along with Ambrose, senior Tyler Carney (Ames, Iowa) and senior Camden Beller (Sioux City, Iowa).

The Mustangs are part of the team rosters for the University of South Dakota Alumni Meet Saturday, Feb. 5.