The Macalester Scots track and field team closed their indoor season on March 14 at the National Collegiate Athletics Association Indoor Championships in Birmingham, Ala.
During the first day of nationals on March 13, Ariella Rogahn-Press ’28 broke the meet record in the 400-meter dash with a time of 54.22 seconds. John Ihrke ’28 represented the men’s team at the meet, and qualified for finals in the 800 meter. In finals the next day, Rogahn-Press placed third with a time of 54.50, taking All-American honors back to Macalester, while Ihrke placed ninth in his event, making the AllAmerican second team.
“I really enjoyed nationals and being able to go with someone … to be able to have that experience and kind of show him what nationals is like — it was really enjoyable for me,” Rogahn-Press said. She went to nationals in both track seasons last year, while this was Ihrke’s first appearance on the national stage.
The outdoor track and field season began with the Hamline Invitational on March 30, and the team has been off to a swift start since.
After nationals, Rogahn-Press suffered a stress reaction of her foot and fibula — an overuse injury similar to a stress fracture — and is still out of commission. But that hasn’t stopped the team from breaking records out on the track and the field.
“The start of outdoor [season] has been a whirlwind. I think all spring sports have been on the rollercoaster of the weather, unfortunately, but we have been making adjustments as we go and I am excited about the performances we have seen so far,” Head Track & Field Coach Rachel Leonard said.
Leonard shouts out Tessa Myatt ’27 for her multi-event performances, Kate Fox ’28 in the distance events, Ataa Mensah ’28 in jumps and Austin Mills ’26 in the hammer throw.
Myatt set a new school record in the indoor pentathlon earlier this year, and has already broken the heptathlon record this season.
Rogahn-Press also noted Myatt as a Scot to watch. “She was really, really close to making nationals, and like, honestly, she should have been there, and she would have done really well there.”
With the indoor season now in the rearview and the outdoor season continuing, spectators should take note of the upcoming championship meets.
The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Multi Championships, where Myatt will compete, is taking place April 30 through May 1. The remainder of the team will compete at the MIAC Championships on May 8 and 9 at St. Olaf College.
“We are really excited about the championship season,” Leonard said. “Balancing the demands of the end of the semester and exams with the demands of championship season is difficult, but doable. … I am really proud of our team finishes at MIACs, our relays, and the way we approached [indoor] championship season,” she said. “Our athletes need to continue to work hard [and] rest hard.”
