FARGO, N.D. - The North Dakota State women's track and field team travels to Minneapolis for the Jack Johnson Classic this weekend.  The pentathlon will take place Friday, Jan. 22 beginning at 3 p.m., while the rest of the events will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23.

NDSU wins seven events at Bison Classic

North Dakota State junior Whitney Carlson captured three events to lead a strong performance at the Bison Classic Sunday, Jan. 17. Overall, the Bison won seven events at the season-opening meet and had eight athletes crack the NDSU all-time top 10.  Carlson won the long jump with a leap of 19-8 ¾, which ties her own mark from last season for ninth on the NDSU all-time performance charts. She also won the 60 meters in 7.71, which also ties her own mark for second all-time at NDSU.  Carlson also captured the 60 meter hurdles in a time of 8.72.  Redshirt freshman Toni Tollefson won the high jump in her first collegiate meet, clearing 5-8 3/4.  Her mark is ranked fifth all-time.  Sophomore Kristen Killoran won the triple jump with a mark of 39-4 and also finished second in the long jump with a leap of 19-5 ¼.  Sophomore Katie Johnson won the shot put title with a throw of 42-8.  The 4x400 relay team came in first in a time of 3:56.86.

Bison lead Summit League in five events

Junior Whitney Carlson leads the Summit League in the long jump (19-8 3/4), the 60 meter hurdles (8.72)  and the pentathlon (3,568 points) through this point in the season.  Sophomore Kristen Killoran holds the top spot in the triple jump at 29-4, while redshirt freshman Toni Tollefson leads the high jump at 5-8 3/4.  Southern Utah also leads five events.

Carlson named Summit League Athlete of the Week

Junior Whitney Carlson was honored as the athlete of the week after winning the Bison Holiday Pentathlon on Dec. 11.  Carlson finished with 3,568 points and won three of the five events.  She won the 60 meter hurdles in 8.57, the long jump with a mark of 19-2 1/2, and the 800 meters in 2:32.24.  It was Carlson's third career athlete of the week honor.

Carlson, Zander finish 1-2 at Bison Holiday Pentathlon

North Dakota State junior Whitney Carlson and senior Heather Zander finished first and second, respectively, in the Bison Holiday Pentathlon on Dec. 11.  Carlson finished with 3,568 points while Zander had 3,529 points.  Freshman Emily Stalpes came in fifth place with 2,801 points.  Carlson won the 60 meter hurdles, the long jump and the 800 meters.   Zander came out on top in the shot put, throwing 33-3 3/4 feet.

Godfrey returns for 11th season

Head coach Ryun Godfrey is in his 11th year at the helm of the women's track program.  He has led the team to four straight Summit League titles and was named indoor and outdoor coach of the year in 2009.  Last season, he coached the program's first Division I All-America honoree, Laura Hermanson, who was the NCAA runner-up in the outdoor 800 meters and finished seventh at the NCAA Indoor Championships in the same event.