Larson sets school pole vault record Women's Track & Field opener

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Track & Field team started its 2015-16 season Saturday at the Illinois Wesleyan First Chance Meet. The Falcons had some strong performances, gaining multiple PRs in the season-opening meet.

Junior Nicole Larson (Milwaukee, Wis.) had a great debut for the Falcons as she set a school record in the pole vault, clearing 3.5 meters. Her PR also gave Larson a first-place finish on Saturday. Larson ranks sixth nationally in the pole vault. Larson not only broke the CUW school record, which was previously 3.15 meters, but also broke the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference indoor record, which was previously 3.44 meters.

Junior Colleen Sauvey (De Pere, Wis.) had a big day for the Falcons, setting a PR in all three of her events. Sauvey ran in the 60 and 300-meter dashes on Saturday, as well as competing in the weight throw. In the 60 she posted a time of 8.59, while adding a 46.98 in the 300. She also recorded a mark of 13.59 meters in the weight throw, finishing with an impressive day for the Falcons. Her mark in the weight throw was good for second place, while senior Karli Tatum (Milwaukee, Wis.) finished third with a toss of 13.55 meters.

Tatum also competed in the shot put on Saturday and was one of three Falcons throwers to finish in the top eight. She placed second with a toss of 12.22 meters, while sophomore Beth Garncarz (Milwaukee, Wis.) and junior Delaney Verba (Milwaukee, Wis.) placed seventh and eighth, respectively. Garncarz also competed in the weight throw and had a PR with a mark of 11.25 meters.

The Falcons had several athletes run the 600-meter run and a lot of those posting a PR in the event. Sophomore Natalie Bubolz (Beaver Dam, Wis.) paced the Falcons in the event by running a 1:48.94, while Lauren Dorsey (Green Bay, Wis.) was next in line with a 1:50.07. Emily Ward (Burlington, Wis.) followed with a 1:53.11, while Hannah Barrow (Sheboygan, Wis.) and Marissa Sprecher (Sauk City, Wis.) posted times of 1:57.86 and 1:58.78, respectively.

The meet was a good chance for the Falcons to see where they stand a little earlier than usual. The Falcons will not compete again until January 16 at the Wisconsin Private College Invitational, hosted by Carthage.