A school record. A national-leading mark and two national qualifiers.
In all, it was a good day for three women’s indoor track and field athletes from The Evergreen State College.
Senior Izabelle Trefts and sophomore Madison Palek competed at the Concordia University Polar Dog Invite on Friday in Seward, Nebraska, where both qualified for the NAIA Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships in the 3,000-meter race walk. Trefts won the event in 13:33.27, a time that set an Evergreen school record, met the NAIA “A” qualifying standard, and ranked as the second-fastest collegiate performance in race walking history. Her mark also moved her to the top of the NAIA performance list this season.
Palek placed fourth in the same event with a time of 16:56.89, qualifying for nationals in her first-ever indoor 3,000-meter race walk. She now holds the seventh-fastest time in the NAIA this year and ranks second on Evergreen’s all-time list.
Junior Alauna Carstens competed separately at the Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairie Wolf Invitational, held in conjunction with the Mark Colligan Memorial meet at the Devaney Center in Lincoln. Carstens dominated the women’s 3,000-meter run, claiming the win in 10:08.70. She won by roughly 10 seconds in a 20-athlete field.
Evergreen head coach Joel Pearson praised the team’s effort following the long road trip.
“Izabelle performed to perfection, Alauna won the 3K, and what a massive day for Maddy,” Pearson said. “It was Maddy’s first 3K race walk, and it was a national qualifier. Another great day to be a Geoduck.”
Assistant coach Katie Burnett echoed the sentiment, noting the challenge of competing far from home.
“They flew halfway across the country and still performed well,” Burnett said. “Alauna dominated her race, Izzy posted the second-fastest time ever, and Maddy qualified for NAIA Indoor Nationals in her first indoor 3,000-meter race walk. I could not be more proud.”
