By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
WINONA, Minn. ­— What a way to kick off the indoor season.
 
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota unveiled the 2019 version of its track and field teams Saturday afternoon at the Saint Mary's Early Birdinal — and the Cardinals did not disappoint their home fans.
 
The Cardinals combined for 11 first-place finishes — including a pair of first-place showings by Desmond Steward (Bayside, Wis.) — at the non-team-scored event held at the Gostomski Fieldhouse.
 
"This meet was a good chance to work through early season techniques and processes," said Saint Mary's coach Niels Anderson. "Some really good results already happened, so we are excited where this puts us at this point."
 
Steward uncorked a leap of 13.72 meters to easily win the triple jump, while adding a mark of 6.39 meters to win the long jump. Kyle Lichttenegger ran away from the field in winning the 55 (6.67), and Matt Boone (200, 23.85), Jon Meaden (800, 2:11.23), Isaiah Olsem (mile, 4:41.40), Jacob Homan (shot put, 11.35 meters), and Christian Beamer (pole vault, 3.20 meters) also recorded first-place efforts at the season-opening meet.
 
On the women's side, Danielle Franke stopped the clock in 5:50.19 to win the mile, and Rachel Ohde and Nathalie Freire chipped in first-place performances in the high jump (1.63 meters) and pole vault (2.13 meters), respectively.
 
The Cardinals are back on the track next Saturday, as Saint Mary's travels to Menomonie, Wis., to take part in the UW-Stout Open.