Newcomer Alexandria Coleman earned a pentathlon title to lead the Bemidji State University track and field team as it opened its 2016-17 indoor season at The Opener, hosted by the College of St. Scholastica December 3rd. The senior won two of the five events to earn a 40-point victory.

BSU’s new additions performed well, leading the way for a young Beavers team. In addition to Coleman, Savanah Olson placed second in the shot put and Vanessa Rae Lopez took third in the mile. All three are in their first season as a member of BSU’s track and field team.

Bemidji State University Track and Field newcomers Jada Barker and Vanessa Rae Lopez each won two events to headline the Beavers at the Super 8 Open Saturday, January 14th at the Gellett Wellness Center.

Barker, placed first in the 60-meter and 200-meter dash events in her BSU debut. The freshman finished just .13 off school record pace in the 60, posting a time of 8.01 seconds, while she won the 200 by nearly a second (.63), breaking the tape in 26.87.

On the opposite end of the running event spectrum, Lopez pushed finished more than five seconds ahead of her closes competition to post a time of 5 minutes, 30.06 and then clocked a time of 11:18.03 in the 3,000-meter run.

In addition to Barker and Lopez grabbing first place, Savanah Olson also took top honors winning the shot put with a throw of 41 feet, 11.50 inches, while Samara Tobeck stretched the tape to 46-00.75 in the weight throw to place second.

The Beavers return to action Jan. 21 when they travel to Superior, Wis. to and the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Superior to compete in the Twin Ports Open.