ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -After beginning the outdoor season campaign last week at the Augustana Early Spring Opener, the Ashford University women's track and field program returned to Rock Island, Ill. for the 69th annual Viking Olympics this weekend, finishing seventh as a team.

After winning the same event at last week's meet at Augustana, sophomore Laura Minertz of Sterling, Ill., placed third in the 200-meter dash, finishing in a new school-record time of 26.24.

Freshman Nkemdilim Okwumabua of Rockford, Ill., had a strong showing in the 200-meter dash as well, taking 10th with a time of 27.45. Senior Kim Fabry of Oconto Falls, Wis., placed 14th with a time of 28.17.

Okwumabua set a new school record in the 400-meter dash, finishing in fifth place with a time of 1:00.94. Minertz placed 10th in the event as well with a time of 1:03.37.

The relay team comprised of Fabry, Okwumabua, Wenzel and Minertz, broke the AU school record in the 4x200-meter relay, crossing the finish line in 1:48.60, good for fifth overall in the event.

Junior Erika Jakobsen of Rock Island, Ill., gained the Saints four points after a sixth-place finish in the 3,000 meter steeplechase with a time of 13:39.97.

Freshman Ashley Murray of Mason City was the only Saint to compete in the 800-meter run, finishing in 15th place in a time of 2:48.89.

Wenzel also set a new school record in the long jump. After breaking the former record last week with a jump of 17 feet, Wenzel soared 17'4" to extend the record. Fabry placed seventh in the event as well, jumping 16'2".

Sophomore Natalie Solms of Kissimmee, Fla., placed second in a field of 12 triple jumpers, leaping a distance of 10.51 meters (34'-5") to add eight points to Ashford's total for the meet. Solms also shared sixth-place honors in the high jump after clearing 4'-9".

Freshman Chhutani Berry of Chicago, Ill., placed 11th in the high jump, clearing the bar at 4'-7".

Freshman thrower Ashley Voeltz of Fulton, Ill., placed 20th in the discus throw, recording a toss of 27.82 meters (91'-3") while senior teammate Brooke Funk of Le Claire took 24th place honors after launching the discus 25.74 meters (84'-5").

Voleltz and Funk competed in the shot put as well. Voeltz placed ninth in the shot put as well, launching the shot 11.85 meters (38'-10") while Funk took 15th after a toss of 10.52 meters (34'-6").

Freshman Dawn Caffery of Indianapolis, Ind., took 16th place honors in the shot put after throwing for a distance of 10.22 meters (33'-6").

In the hammer throw, Voeltz placed 10th with a throw of 38.09 meters (125') while Funk took 25th after a toss of 29.95 meters (98'-3").

"We're starting to get into the groove of the outdoor season," said AU Head Coach Chris Adams. "The transition if the toughest on the throwers because of the change in techniques, but they have responded well thus far."

The Saints continue the 2010 outdoor season this weekend as they travel to Naperville, Ill., for the North Central College Open on Saturday.