FARGO, N.D. - The North Dakota State women's track and field team returns to Fargo to host the Bison Open on Friday, Feb. 4 and Saturday, Feb. 5 at the Bison Sports Arena.  The pentathlon begins at 3 p.m. on Friday, while field events kick off at noon on Saturday while running events are at 12:30 p.m.  The Bison will compete against 10 teams this weekend - Minnesota Duluth, North Dakota, South Dakota State, Northern State, Dickinson State, Minot State, Jamestown, Concordia, Minnesota State Moorhead and Mary.

Schmaltz earns athlete of the week award

Senior Christine (Bruins) Schmaltz was named the Summit League indoor women's track and field athlete of the week after winning the 800 meters at the Bill Bergan Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 29.  Schmaltz ran a season-best time of 2:09.35 en route to first place in the event.  Her time currently leads the Summit League and is 26th in the nation.  She helped the Bison to a third place finish at the meet.

Killoran claims pentathlon to lead Bison at Bill Bergan

Junior Kristen Killoran won her first pentathlon title at the Bill Bergan Invitational last weekend with 3,667 points, a personal best score that ranks fourth all-time at NDSU. The Bison also claimed four other titles at the meet.  Whitney Carlson won the 60 hurdles (8.71) and long jump (19-6 3/4) for the third consecutive meet, while Leslie Brost claimed the pole vault crown with a season-best mark of 13-7 3/4.  Christine (Bruins) Schmaltz won the 800 meters with a season-best time of 2:09.35.

Bison women ninth in regional rankings

The NDSU women's track and field team is No. 9 in the Midwest Region for the second straight week in the regional rankings from the USTFCCCA.  The Bison have two athletes ranked in the national top 10 in three events.  Senior Whitney Carlson is No. 8 in the pentathlon and No. 10 in the long jump.  Junior Leslie Brost is tied for tenth in the pole vault.

NDSU to host Summit League Championships

For the second year in a row, the Bison Sports Arena will be the home of the Summit League Indoor Track and Field Championships.  The league meet is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 27 and Monday, Feb. 28. NDSU won its third straight league indoor title last season.