The University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks track and field teams will compete in the Gary Wilson Invitational at the University of Minnesota Track & Field Stadium on Wednesday, April 22. Running events are scheduled to begin at 9:45 a.m., with field events starting at 11 a.m.
This meet is the only competition for North Dakota this week, providing an opportunity for both men’s and women’s teams to build on recent successes. The women’s team is currently ranked No. 11 in the Midwest Region and No. 64 nationally, which is the highest national ranking among Summit League teams as of April 21. The men’s team holds No. 23 in the Midwest Region and No. 132 nationally.
Jadyn Keeler has been named Summit League Peak Performer of the Week twice this month, on April 7 and April 21, reflecting strong individual performances within a standout women’s squad that includes Shewaye Johnson, Naja Weiler, and Elle Sondag—currently ranked fifth nationally in the women’s 10,000-meter run event squad rankings.
Seven women from North Dakota are listed among the top-48 athletes in their respective events on the West Qualifying List for NCAA Prelims: Jadyn Keeler (4th in the 10,000-meter run; ninth in the 5,000-meter run), Frida Giersdorff (11th in steeplechase), Shewaye Johnson (38th in the 10,000-meter run), Naja Weiler (45th), Cailey Moton (34th hammer throw), Julia Matthews (43rd hammer throw), and Ilaria Villa (46th discus). On the men’s side, Louis-Lys Fanucchi ranks highly with top-20 placements in both distance running and steeplechase events while Henrik Lindstrot appears twice among top regional qualifiers.
The Fighting Hawks have set nine new school records so far this outdoor season across various track and field disciplines by athletes including Olivia Correale, Louis-Lys Fanucchi, Frida Giersdorff, Jadyn Keeler, Anya Williams—and several others have posted marks placing them within program all-time top ten lists.
Following Wednesday’s meet at Minnesota, North Dakota will host its own home event—the Fighting Hawk Open—on April 29 before traveling to other competitions including South Dakota Challenge May 1–2 and Cobbler Open May 2.
