[Indoor Track & Field] SAU at NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships
NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships
Fighting Bees chase NAIA gold - Steve Batterson/Quad-City Times
Saturday update: One All-American finish and nearly a second highlighted the final day of competition for St. Ambrose at the NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships. Senior Josh Pestka became a three-time All-American with his fourth-place finish in the 1000-meter run. His time was 2:30.09.
A Bee freshman just missed out on an All-American performance. Mykolas Saloninas finished ninth, a spot out of an All-American finish, with his throw of 16.02 meters in the shot put.
And Abby Camp, who already earned All-American honors in the long jump, capper her week with a 24th-place effort in the triple jump. She recorded a jump of 11.05 meters.
The St. Ambrose men finished 42nd at nationals while the women ended 54th.
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Friday update: Abby Camp became the program's first-ever All-American in the long jump. Her jump of 5.52 meters was good for eighth in the event, for her first All-American finish. It also earned a team point for St. Ambrose. Lani Hillard placed 28th in the event with a jump of 4.95 meters.
Megan Grady was 22nd in the 3000-meter run with her time of 10:43.36. Justin Griser also competed for the Bees in the men's high jump.
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Thursday update: Freshman Michaela Pieroni got the NAIA Indoor Championships off to a strong start for St. Ambrose. She finished 22nd in the 5000-meter run in a time of 18:06.79. She was just off the pace for a top-12 finish (17:47) and a spot in the finals.
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St. Ambrose is sending seven athletes to the 2020 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Brookings, S.D. The contingent includes Josh Pestka, who qualified in the 1000-meter run after finishing as the runner-up in the event a year ago.
Pestka will compete on the championship's final day, Saturday, along with Abby Camp in the women's triple jump and Mykolas Saloninas in the men's shot put.
Camp will also compete Friday, as will Lani Hillard, in the women's long jump. Justin Griser will compete in the men's high jump and Megan Grady will run in the 3000-meter run.
Michael Pieroni will get things started for St. Ambrose as she runs in the women's 5000-meter run Thursday.
Thursday
Women's 5000m Run: 22nd - Michaela Pieroni (18:06.79)
Friday
Women's Long Jump: 8th - Abby Camp (5.52m); 28th - Lani Hillard (4.95m)
Men's High Jump: Justin Griser (NH)
Women's 3000m Run: 22nd - Megan Grady (10:43.36)
Saturday
Men's 1000m Run: 4th - Josh Pestka (2:30.09)
Women's Triple Jump: 24th - Abby Camp (11.05m)
Men's Shot Put: 9th - Mykolas Saloninas (16.02m)