[Track & Field] Kane's all-America performance wraps up indoor season

GENEVA, Ohio -- Junior Jacqueline Kane became the fourth track & field all-American in school history and senior Beth Ripperger was one spot shy of the same honor as Mount Mercy closed out the indoor season at the NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships at the GaREAT Sports Complex.

Kane, who entered the national meet as the ninth seed in the 600 meter run, qualified for the finals with a school-record time of 1:35.20 in Friday's preliminary round. She easlily surpassed that in Saturday's final, finishing fifth in the nation with a time of 1:34.41. Kane joins Penny Heins, Stephanie Martin, and teammate Jenna Higgins as the only all-Americans in school history.

Earlier in the day, Ripperger nearly pulled off the same feat in the mile run. She was the 12th seed coming into the event, but broke her own school mark by nearly nine seconds in Friday's prelims. After running 5:02.63 on Friday, Ripperger crossed the finish line in 5:05.12 on Saturday to place seventh. The top six runners received all-America honors.

Kane and Ripperger weren't the only standouts for the Mustangs. On Friday, senior Kelsey Hansen produced her own seventh-place finish in the weight throw. Like her teammates, Hansen broke her own school record by nearly three feet with a toss of 54'-3 3/4" in the finals. She was seeded 21st in the event coming into the national meet.

The Mount Mercy men's and women's track & field teams open the outdoor season at the Vikings Relays hosted by Grand View on Saturday, March 26, in Des Moines.