UND women enter Summit League Outdoor Championships with title hopes

May 12—GRAND FORKS — Head coach Jim Vahrenkamp believes the UND women's track and field team will win the Summit League Outdoor Championship.

It might not be this year, and it may not be the next. But based on the program's current trajectory, Vahrenkamp thinks it's inevitable.

"Because of the support and because of the continuity on the staff and the kids that we have, we're going to win at some point," Vahrenkamp said. "If we win now, great. That's evidence of the work that's been put in by the staff and the kids on the team. If it takes until next year, that's fine, or if it takes one year after that. We're no longer in a place where we just go to conference."

The Fighting Hawks finished third at last year's meet.

North Dakota State, the league's preseason favorites and reigning champions, will be hard to top at this season's conference championships, which will take place in Fargo, from Thursday to Saturday.

But based on the Hawks' and Bison's best individual performances this season, they'll be neck and neck in their race for the crown.

"As a coaching staff, that's all you want," Vahrenkamp said. "I want to go to something that's undecided, where everybody can be excited about it. Cheer for each other, feel like everything they do matters."

The UND women have broken multiple program records in outdoor competition this season.

Jadyn Keeler, an All-American in cross country and track and field, has set school records in the 1,500-meter, 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter runs.

The star senior was named the

Grace Rhonemus Female Athlete of the Year

at the Hawks' annual Night of Champions event last week.

Keeler is a clear standout, but multiple UND athletes have shown significant progression, from returning contributors to breakout stars.

"They've done a great job of trusting the process," Vahrenkamp said. "Joining the group and just being patient. If you look at where Jadyn Keeler was when she came in, she wasn't relevant. Now she's one of the top 25 girls in multiple events in the NCAA, and she's going to sign a pro contract with Adidas when she gets done here. That's the same for a bunch of the other ones, too. If you look at the depth of the distance group, they're good top to bottom."

Sophomore walk-on Anya Williams had personal bests of 5-1 in the high jump and 18-0 in the long jump out of high school.

This year she cleared 5-9.25 in the high jump and 18-8.5 in the long jump. Williams also managed 40-11.5 in the triple jump.

Her marks in the triple jump and the high jump set school records.

"The growth of all the groups is what has made the difference," Vahrenkamp said. "People have followed the same path as a Jadyn Keeler, and across the board, have progressed. It's that depth in all events that's putting us in a spot where we're competitive."

Sophomore Olivia Correale and Frida Giersdorff have broken school records in the mile run and steeplechase, respectively.

The Hawks have 25 entries that rank top-five in the Summit League women's competition in their respective events.

The UND men's team has also set new program benchmarks this year, though they are not expected to contend for first place.

The Hawks have a roster full of underclassmen, and some of their standouts will not compete at the Summit League Outdoor Championships.

Former Grand Forks Central standout thrower Ethan Thomas will redshirt this season after getting his wrist "banged up" in the fall.

Vahrenkamp still has high expectations for Thomas, who holds the school record in the shot put (63-7.75) and was named the Newcomer of the Championship at last year's outdoor conference meet.

"Thomas is one of those people that, if he can keep things on the right track, has the opportunity to be a world-class thrower," Vahrenkamp said.

While UND is not expected to contend for the team title, there are several individuals who enter the meet with high expectations.

Sophomore distance runner Luis-Lys Fanucchi has shattered multiple school records. The native of Mons-en-Baroeul, France, has set benchmarks in the 1,500-meter, the mile run and the 5,000-meter.

His time of 3:39.14 in the 1,500 is the best in the conference.

"He has developed, he has improved and he has matured," Vahrenkamp said. "He'll be a kid that I think will be in Eugene for the NCAA championships this year. He's supremely talented."

Sophomore Shane Zeirden will be a contender in the long jump. He set a school record of 24-1.75 in the event, which is also the second-best mark in the Summit League this season.