Mustangs Earn Multiple Top Finishes at Indoor Invitational

WAVERLY, Iowa — Mount Mercy University showcased their athletic prowess at the Chelsey M. Henkenius Indoor Invitational, with standout first-place finishes from Abby Knepper in the mile, clocking a time of 5:18.32, and Carla Santos in the pole vault, clearing 3.05 meters.

Mount Mercy athletes put on a strong display across multiple events. In the women's mile, Knepper took the top spot with her time of 5:18.32, followed by Kalin Rotzoll in fourth at 5:30.87. Brooklyn Johnson impressed in the women's 60 meters, advancing from preliminaries with an 8.13 and finishing fourth in the finals with 8.08. Johnson also secured second in the women's long jump with a leap of 5.39 meters.

The team found further success in the field events. Santos triumphed in the women's pole vault, reaching 3.05 meters. In the women's shot put, Kylie Smither landed seventh with a throw of 11.47 meters, while Natalie DeFord also took seventh in the women's weight throw with a mark of 13.94 meters. Freshman Skylar Palmgren finished strong, taking third in both the women's 200 meters with a time of 27.20 and the women's 600 meters with a 1:39.02.

Johnson, a senior, showcased her versatility with a fourth-place finish in the Women's 60 Meters Finals at 8.08, and a second-place spot in the Women's Long Jump at 5.39 meters. Junior Knepper stood out by winning the Women's Mile in 5:18.32. Freshman Palmgren excelled with third-place finishes in both the Women's 200 Meters and Women's 600 Meters, recording times of 27.20 and 1:39.02, respectively. Senior Santos led the Women's Pole Vault with her top mark of 3.05 meters.

**Sprints**
Johnson took 4th in the Women's 60 Meters Finals with a time of 8.08. Palmgren secured 3rd in the Women's 200 Meters, clocking a time of 27.20.

**Middle Distance**
Ashlie Kascel earned 2nd in the Women's 400 Meters with a time of 1:04.99. Palmgren captured 3rd in the Women's 600 Meters, finishing at 1:39.02.

**Distance**
Knepper clinched the Women's Mile with her time of 5:18.32. Rotzoll followed in 4th place with a time of 5:30.87.

**Hurdles**
Danielle Dimmings placed 10th in the Women's 60 Hurdles Preliminaries, timing in at 10.57.

**Jumps**
Santos took 1st in the Women's Pole Vault with a height of 3.05m. In the Women's Long Jump, Johnson claimed 2nd with a jump of 5.39m, while Gift Gonpue followed in 3rd with 5.24m.

**Throws**
Smither achieved 7th in the Women's Shot Put with a throw of 11.47m. DeFord also landed 7th in the Women's Weight Throw, marking 13.94m.

Looking ahead, the Mustangs are set to travel to their next meet in Ames, Iowa. The competition kicks off on Friday, January 23.