ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Lee Stelten had a solid ending to the end of the 2018 indoor track and field season, so she wanted to get a meet in as soon as possible to make sure she didn’t miss a beat heading into the outdoor season.
It turns out Stelten is still firing on all cylinders and ready to keep vaulting to new heights in her sophomore outdoor season.
Stelten – a pole vaulter for the College of Saint Benedict track and field team – won the pole vault Thursday at her first outdoor meet of the season, hosted by Saint Mary’s in Winona. For her mark, which not only won the event but also moved her into the top seven in school history, she is this week’s CSB Athlete of the Week.
Stelten was one of a handful of CSB athlete who made the trip to Winona Thursday after the team’s home meet was canceled. She finished first in a field of 13 vaulters, including one Division II MSU-Mankato athlete.
Not only was Stelten’s winning vault of 3.35 meters (10’-11.75”) good for first place, it also leaves her tied for seventh in CSB outdoor history and is a 36-centimeter personal best. It is also currently the top mark in the MIAC for the 2018 outdoor season.
Stelten – who took third at the MIAC Championships to earn All-MIAC First Team accolades – looks to continue the success of her sophomore indoor season and early outdoor season as the 2018 season continues. When it will continue is currently in question, as this weekend’s Hamline Invite – which the team was supposed to take part in – has been canceled due to recent snow and cold temperatures in the forecast. The next meet scheduled for CSB is the team’s home invite and multi April 14-15 on the SJU campus.
