The UW-Parkside track program began the 2010 indoor track season by hosting their first track meet in 8 years at the Petretti Fieldhouse and seven members of the program posted first place finishes.
 
On the women's Side, Julia Bernstein (3000m Run, 11:04.97), Whitney Olson (800m Run, 2:20.71), Missy Nilles (Pole Vault, 10' 6"), Brittany Frederick (Mile Run, 5:22.12), and Miranda Melville (3000m Race Walk, 14:27.14) each earned victories in their events.  The men's team was led by Ben Orvold (5000m run, 14:58.33) and Rehan Mahmood (Mile Run, 4:31.40) who won their events. Additionally, Laquan Fenderson (800m run, 2:00.09) and Matt Vidas (3000m run, 9:34.50) placed second in their events, but were the first collegiate finishers.  Heidi Ertl (5000m Run, 17:50.43) was also the first collegiate finisher in her event.
 
The meet was scored as a "Multiple Dual" and the UWP women finished the evening with a 3 won and 2 lost record, defeating Rockford College (51-20) , MSOE (51-47), and Oakton (51-10) and were defeated by Lewis (110-42) and St. Joseph (66-51).  The Men finished the evening with a 2 won and 3 lost record, defeating Rockford (64-28) and Oakton (61-27) and losing to Lewis (100-47), St Joseph (103-47), and MSOE (92-50).
 
Ertl's mark in the 5000m was just 2 seconds shy of the NCAA II provisional qualifying standard and improved on her previous best by over 30 seconds. Her time was the 10th best on the UWP all-time list at the distance.  Orvold also missed provisional qualifying by less than 10 seconds and improved on his previous best by over 15 seconds.  Rachel Bullis, competing in her firsr collegiate track meet, placed third in the 55m dash. Her time was #10 on the UWP all-time indoor list.
 
Coach Mike De Witt commented on the first meet of the season for the Rangers:  "It was great to have a home meet and to get the team on the track racing for the first time since the end of cross country.  The veteran's did a great job with more than half of the returners earning career best marks.  That is the leadership we have been missing, particularly on the women's side, since the graduation of our three national runner-up athletes over the past 3 years (Naomi Fulton, Jill Winkler, and Jess Monson).  The freshmen showed they are excited to race, competing hard and racing with good intensity.  The best thing about the first meet of the season is that everyone knows that is as slow as they will be all season long. They are already looking forward to this week's meet."
 
This Friday, Jan. 29, the Rangers are back on the Petretti Fieldhouse Track hosting the Parkside Open.  Events begin at 4 p.m. and the meet is open to all athletes.  (see posting below)
 
WOMEN's RESULTS
http://www.online-entry.com/raceresults/101318-WomensParsideresults.htm
 
MEN'S RESULTS
http://www.online-entry.com/raceresults/101318-MensParksideresults.htm