DECORAH, Iowa - For Saint Mary's University of Minnesota track and field coach Niels Anderson, Saturday's Luther Alumni Invitational was a homecoming of sorts, after all the Cardinal head coach is a Norse alum.

But the smile on coach Anderson's face had little to do with returning to his college stomping grounds-and everything to do with the performances of his track and field teams.

The Cardinal women collected three first-place finishes-two by Becca Dup-to place third, while the Saint Mary's men, behind the efforts of Morris Dennis and Bryan Ortman, placed fourth.

"The day was filled with loads of personal records and multiple top five all-time performances," said Anderson. "So I wsa really pleased with our progression."

Dup collected firsts in the 55 (7.68) and long jump (5.08m), while Maria Missurelli added a first-place effort in the pole vault, clearing 3.05m.

And that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Dennis clocked a school-record time of 1:24.04 in the 600, while Ortman swept the long and triple jump honors with leaps of 6.41m and 12.87m, respectively. James Davis also collected a first for the Cardinal men, stopping the clock in 6.76 to win the 55.

Steward, Brandon Krogman, David Kemper added third-place efforts for the Saint Mary's men, with Steward leaping 12.05m in the triple jump, while Krogman owned a time of 1:25.86 in the 600 and Kemper cleared 3.81m in the pole vault. Other men's highlights included: Connor Nichols (4^th in weight, 10.99m), Steward (5^th in 55, 6.88), Jacob Hagen-Erickson (5^th in long jump, 5.88m), Ryan Buchmeier (6^th in triple jump, 10.69m / 7^th in pole vault, 3.05m), Joey Domine (6^th in pole vault, 3.36 m), Luis Avila (6^th in long jump, 5.85 m), Austin O'Hare (7^th in mile, 4:32.23), and Jovan Newsum (8^th in mile, 4:33.57)

On the women's side, Allie Thiel and Natalie King each posted fourth-place showings, Thiel's coming in the 1,000 (3:24.69) and King's in the weight throw (10.24m). Other top Cardinal performances included: Madaline Eichers (5^th in weight, 10.02m / 6^th in shot put, 9.04m), Elizabeth Loken, 5th in shot put, 9.61m), Portia Mensah (7^th in long jump, 3.77m), Olivia Kostueck (8^th in shot put, 8.67m, and Alicia Berkenes (10^th in mile, 5:52.59).

The Cardinals are back on the road next weekend, traveling to Northfield, Minn., on Saturday to take part in Carleton's Meet of the Hearts.