NWU wins 7th straight 4×400 relay national title

jkoller@klkntv.com

Courtesy: Nebraska Wesleyan Media Relations

Nebraska Wesleyan University’s 4×400 Relay Team Wins 7^th Straight National Title

GENEVA, Ohio – Nebraska Wesleyan women’s 4×400 relay team won their fourth straight outdoor national title and seventh straight overall national championship to cap the 2019 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday (May 25) at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio.

NWU finished 5^th overall in the team standings with 33 points, tying for their best team finish in program history.  Two other times the Prairie Wolves finished 5^th at the outdoor championships (1991, 1997).

Senior Anna Frazier, senior Elizabeth Jones, sophomore Aspen Rolfes and senior Kaylee Jones teamed up to win their fourth straight NCAA III National title in the 4×400 relay running a time of 3:42.31.  It marks the 7^th overall national title for Elizabeth and Kaylee Jones.

Earlier in the day, Kaylee and Elizabeth earned All-American honors in the finals of the 400 meters.  Kaylee Jones blazed to a time of 54.78 to finish as the National Runner-up.  Elizabeth Jones was close behind to place 4^th in the 400 running 55.53.  Kaylee’s time of 54.78 ranks 2^nd on the all-time charts, just .04 behind Elizabeth’s school record time.

Elizabeth ends her career as a 12-time All-American and Kaylee an 11-time All-American giving the duo a combined 23 All-American awards.  The 12 All-American awards by Elizabeth is tied for the 2^nd highest total in program history and Kaylee ranks 5^th with her 11 awards.

Two NWU runners competed in the 3,000 meter steeplechase led by junior Ellie Beiermann who picked up her first career track & field All-American award.  Beiermann was 5^th overall running a time of 10:56.23, getting a track All-American award after earning All-American honors in cross country this fall.  Senior Hanna Hegemann ended her career by placing 11^th in the event running a time of 11:28.62.

NWU also earned All-American recognition with their 4×100 relay team.  The 4×100 team placed 7^th running a time of 47.31.  It marks the first time since 2003 that a NWU women’s 4×100 team earned All-America honors.  Running on the relay team were Lindsey Wisnieski, Anna Frazier, Alexandra Daniel and Aspen Rolfes.  Frazier and Rolfes were double All-American winners earning the honor in both relays.

Also competing for the Prairie Wolves on Saturday was Maddie Fitzgibbons in the hammer throw.  Fitzgibbons had a toss of 155-11 to place 17^th overall.