Bemidji State track and field: Buerkle headlines strong showing at Beaver Twilight

The Bemidji State University men's and women's track and field teams hosted the annual Beaver Classic this evening at the Gillett Recreation-Fitness Center.

Bemidji State hosted the University of North Dakota, Minnesota State University, Moorhead, University of Mary, Wisconsin-Superior, and College of St. Scholastica. No team totals were held.

The Beavers received record-breaking performances from sophomore sprinter Kristi Buerkle in both the 200 and 400-meter dashes.

Buerkle broke her own school record in the 400-meter dash at the Beaver Twilight.

The sophomore finished with a time of 57.26, breaking her previous record of 57.69 from the 2008 indoor season.

In addition, Buerkle also placed second in the 200-meter dash crossing the line in 25.71. In the process, the sophomore sprinter etched her name into the record books once again. She broke Amber Bohman's school record of 25.72 which was set in 1999.

Missy Graber placed second in the weight throw with a distance of 47-09.75.

Distance runner Alison Hougen took third in the 600-meter run in 1:51.56.

On the men's side, freshman thrower Brian Leonhardt acheived his personal best performance of the indoor season in the shot put, placing third with a throw of 50-11.00.

In the high jump, Bemidji State freshman Marcus Dennis took second place in the high jump with a height of 6-04.75.

Bemidji State hosts the NSIC Indoor Championships next Friday and Saturday at BSU.