Richert breaks program pentathlon record on day one of GPAC meet

By Jacob Knabel on Feb. 18, 2022 in Track & Field

CRETE, Neb. – As the standout amongst five Concordia University Track & Field Athletes in action on Friday (Feb. 18), Amy Richert emerged with a new school record in the pentathlon. Richert placed second in the event while leading the way for the Bulldogs on the first day of the 2022 GPAC Indoor Track & Field Championships hosted by Doane. She was joined in all-conference territory by teammates Elena Batenhorst and Kaylee Boyle.

Head Coach Matt Beisel’s women’s team entered the meet ranked No. 2 in the NAIA. The Bulldogs are hoping to extend their streak of GPAC championships to six by the conclusion of the weekend. They are on the board with 12 team points on day one of the conference meet.

Richert finished with 3,479 points in the pentathlon, surpassing the former program standard of 3,410 by Jessica Deterding in 2019. The native of Gresham, Neb., clocked a fresh NAIA ‘B’ national qualifying standard in the 60 meter hurdles with a time of 9.14. Richert also equaled a season best in the high jump while clearing 5’ 5.” With her school record point total, Richert exceeded the 3,407 points she posted at the Concordia Early Bird back in December.

Batenhorst placed sixth and Boyle eighth as Concordia outperformed its projected point total in the pentathlon. Batenhorst collected 3,156 points, a figure that would put her in the top 13 nationally based on the NAIA leaderboard coming into the day. By day’s end, Boyle had accumulated 2,904 points. The two additional Bulldogs in the event were Isabelle Salters (ninth; 2,692) and Faith Espinosa (13th; 2,134).

Things will heat up on Saturday from the Fuhrer Field House in Crete, Neb. For Concordia, action will begin at 12 p.m. CT when the first field events get started. For complete meet information, including live coverage and results, check out the meet preview HERE.