FARGO, N.D. - The North Dakota State women's track and field team will begin defense of its 2009 Summit League indoor title by hosting the Bison Classic on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 1:00 p.m.  Field events begin at 1:00 p.m. while running events start at 2 p.m.  The Bison will be competing against South Dakota State, Northern State, Mary, Manitoba, Minnesota State Moorhead and Concordia.

Bison return strong team

Juniors Brittany Gigstead and Whitney Carlson, along with sophomore Leslie Brost return to anchor a strong 2010 team.  All three athletes competed at the NCAA Championships in the spring.  Along with the three NCAA Championship participants, the Bison also return four NCAA regional qualifiers in junior Devon Wentz, sophomore Kristen Killoran, senior Amy Bestland and senior Heather Zander.

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.

2009 review

The 2009 season was one for the record books. The team captured its second straight Summit League title in indoor track and field while Godfrey earned league coach of the year honors.  In the team's first year of eligibility for the Division I championships, senior Laura Hermanson competed in the 800 meter final at the NCAA Indoor Championships, finishing seventh and earning NDSU's first-ever Division I All-America honors.  Godfrey also led the Bison to their second consecutive league outdoor title and was named coach of the year.  The Bison sent 10 athletes to the NCAA Midwest Regional and finished 11th.  Hermanson won the regional 800 meter crown to advance to the NCAA Championships, while freshman Leslie Brost, sophomore Brittany Gigstead and sophomore Whitney Carlson also reached the championships with top five regional performances.  At the NCAA Championships, Hermanson finished second in the 800 meters and earned her second USTFCCCA All-America honor.