Women’s track and field began its season with a nine-team meet in River Falls on Friday.

There was no scoring at the event, but the meet provided a stage for the Blugolds and other teams to showcase their talents.

The Blugolds took first place in two events. They posted six second place finishes and six third place finishes.

“This was a great start for our season,” said coach Tracy Yengo. “We started practice on Monday, and the meet was on Friday so they were a little sore, but they still did really well.”

The Blugolds have a young team this year, comprised of mostly freshmen.

“Our main goal going into the meet was to gain confidence and experience racing at the college level for our young team,” Yengo said.

Sophomore Anna Nelson took first place in the weight throw, throwing 12.37 meters.

Also placing for Eau Claire in the event was freshman Jessie Beaulieu, who took seventh with a throw of 11.27 meters.

In the field events, freshman Katie Miller threw the shot put 10.67 meters, which was enough to take seventh place.

Junior Kathy Thompson placed in the high jump and long jump for the Blugolds. She took third in the high jump with a jump of 1.51 meters. In the long jump, she took fifth, jumping 4.94 meters.

Thompson also placed in the 55-meter hurdles where she took fourth with a time of 9.22 seconds.

Freshman Jennifer Winters took the highest place for Eau Claire in the pole vault, clearing a height of 2.29 meters.

Another first-place finish for the Blugolds came from freshman Sara Pavek in the 800-meter run, posting a time of 2 minutes and 27.25 seconds. Sophomore Betsy Coy finished seventh with a time of 2:33.95.

Pavek also took fifth place in the 1,500-meter run with a time of 5:03.82.

“Sara Pavek was really great,” Yengo said. “She ran two races and placed high in both. I was really pleased with her performance.”

Freshman Kallie Krueger took second place in two events. In the 400-meter dash Krueger had a time of 1:03.16, and in the 200-meter dash she ran a 27.95, only .2 seconds behind first place.

Freshman Melissa Wright took fourth place in the 1,000-meter run with a time of 3:15.38

“Our freshman class is full of talent,” Yengo said. “They’re really taking control this year.”

In upcoming track action, the men’s and women’s track teams will host the annual UWEC Track Invitational on Friday.

“We’re really optimistic about this season,” Yengo said. “We plan to take the season one meet at a time and get our feet wet.”