North Dakota State University sophomore Jade Rypkema broke the school’s oldest active women’s outdoor track and field record in the 10,000 meters on April 16 at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California. Rypkema finished with a time of 35:04.42, surpassing Nancy Dietman’s previous record from 1986 by seven seconds.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for the Bison women’s track and field program, as Dietman’s record had stood for four decades. The event also saw other strong performances from North Dakota State athletes.
At the same meet, sophomore Mia Hoffmann ran a personal-best of 36:09.44 in the 10,000 meters to move into ninth place all-time at NDSU. Jenna DeBates recorded her own personal best with a time of 36:33.37 in the same event.
In addition to distance events, freshman Kylie Nelson competed in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and posted a time of 10:54.58, which ranks her tenth all-time at NDSU.
Meanwhile, sprinters and hurdlers from North Dakota State took part in the Dewey Donat Classic hosted by Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Sophomore Paige Renschler won the wind-aided 100-meter dash with an official time of 11.33 seconds while Elise Wisnewski placed third with an official wind-aided time of 11.66 seconds.
Sydney Arndt claimed victory in the women’s 100-meter hurdles (13.72), followed by Jordyn Davis who was second (14.17). Reese Rogowski won the women’s 400-meter dash (56.27) ahead of Soraya Espino (57.85). In the women’s 400-meter hurdles final standings were Kendal Stingle (1:00.87), Kate Laqua (1:02.81), Brooke Cina (1:02.96), and Sophia Headley (1:03.78) finishing second through fifth respectively.
Competition is scheduled to continue Friday at both the Bryan Clay Invitational and Nebraska’s Big Red Classic.
