The 3,000 meter Steeplechase was one of the first events of the meet. (Ahna Clark/TommieMedia)
The St. Thomas women’s track and field team prepared for the MIAC outdoor championship by competing in the Tommie Twilight meet Wednesday at O’Shaughnessy Stadium and Koch Diamond. The Tommies participated in 21 different events, placing within the top three in 11 of those events. 
St. Thomas ranked first in one of three hurdle events. Claire Chell brought home a win for the Tommies. (Ahna Clark/TommieMedia)
The Tommies competed against conference and non-conference teams like University of Wisconsin La-Crosse and the University of Minnesota. The team placed first in the long jump, 4×100 meter relay, 100 meter hurdles and 100 meter dash. They placed second in the long jump, 100 meter dash, 4×400 meter relay and placed third in the pole vault, high jump, triple jump and 200 meter dash.
“When you’re able to beat (non-conference teams) in some of the events, it always gives you more confidence moving into the big meets that we have coming up,” coach Joe Sweeney said.
Senior Katie Marciniak placed first in the 100 meter dash with 12.65 seconds, narrowing beating sophomore Delaney McLoone, who placed second with 12.86 seconds. Marciniak also finished third in the 200 meter dash.
“I run the short races, so (I’m focusing) on getting out harder right away,” Marciniak said.
A St. Thomas student warms up for the high jump. (Ahna Clark/TommieMedia)
Following the Tommie Twilight, coach Sweeney wanted his athletes to enjoy the home field advantage, and prepare for the upcoming MIAC outdoor championships next weekend.
“Being the fact that we’re hosting (the MIAC outdoor championships), just to make people feel comfortable and confident to be on our track was what we wanted to achieve and I think we’re getting that,” Sweeney said.
The Tommies will host the MIAC outdoor championships Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11.
Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.
Matthew Curry can be reached at curr1523@stthomas.edu.