LA CROSSE, Wis. — The date change did not affect the Cardinals! The Saint Mary's track and field team delivered a record-setting performance Thursday at the Phil Esten Challenge, hosted by UW-La Crosse, highlighted by a runner-up finish from Mya Slavin and multiple program marks falling or being challenged.

Slavin continued her standout sophomore season in the distance events, placing second in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 18:19.47 to score eight points for the Cardinals. Freshman Addison Burckhardt added an 11th-place finish in 20:27.25.

The Cardinals made history on the track in both individual and relay events. The women's 4x100-meter relay team turned in a fifth-place finish with a time of 47.75 matching the school record with Samantha Munson, Kenzie Munson, Jossy Sammanen, and Zari Young all making history.

Munson also etched her name deeper into the record books, breaking her own school record in the 200-meter dash with a sixth-place finish in 24.89, adding four points for Saint Mary's. 

Freshman Deni Zaharieva posted a strong 11th-place finish in the 400-meter dash (58.43), while Goi Ruei clocked a 1:56.89 in the men's 800-meter run.

On the men's side, Gage Hatch led the sprint group with times of 11.09 in the 100 and 22.28 in the 200. Ben Kritsberg (11.15) and Jinwoo Jung (11.41) also competed in the 100, while Keaton Miller and Kijuan Hardy added efforts in the 200.

In the field events, Xara Gin cleared 11-7 in the pole vault to place 14th, while Ameryn Dostal recorded a mark of 10.42 meters in the triple jump. Ron White highlighted the throws group, placing 20th in the discus (44.50m) and 16th in the hammer throw (49.31m), while also making a push at the program record. 

In the javelin, Ellie Hoffarth threw for 24.18 meters.

Saint Mary's also saw strong outings across the throwing events from Lexi Repinski, Isabella Schei, Suzette Alvarez, and Rowan Sween.

The Cardinals next meet will be starting next Thursday, April 25 at the Drake Relays in Iowa.