The UW-Eau Claire women’s track and field team took first of six teams at the UWEC invite Friday.

The Blugolds were in close competition with Mankato State University (Minn.). The Blugolds were able to sneak two points to give them the victory.

The invite left the Blugolds with a winning score of 157. Scores ranged widely for the opposing teams. St. Thomas University (Minn.) took 128 points, Lawrence University 36, University of Minnesota-Duluth 20 and Mount Senario College 1.

Senior Stephanie Larsen said skill wasn’t the only factor in the win over Mankato.

“We had confidence coming into the meet,” said Larsen. “I don’t think we were anticipating anything.”

In five of 17 events, the Blugolds placed high. The women stole 26 out of 31 points in the 1,500-meter run. Freshmen Sara Pavek and Melissa Wright and sophomore Kim Gauron were the top finishers in this event.

Freshman Kallie Krueger ran her way to a top finish in the 200-meter dash. Krueger ran her fastest 200 this season with a time of 27.46 seconds. This time was a .51 improvement over her previous time. Krueger took second place in the 200-meter dash at UW-River Falls last Friday. She ran it in 27.95. She finished five seconds ahead of her closest opponent.

Tension increased toward the end of the meet, as Mankato remained close.

“All of my teammates were there cheering me on,” Krueger said. “It relieved some tension for me, but I try not to be afraid of the competition.”

Senior Kathy Thompson took two first-place finishes at the invite. Her 4.92 meter jump in the long jump took her to first place, as did her 1.61 meter jump in the high jump.

Freshman Jessie Beaulieu took first place in the shot put with her 11.86 meter throw.

Winning their second meet of the season, the Blugolds are off to a good start.

Friday the Blugolds will attend the Eastbay Pentathlon in Stevens Point.