ARDEN HILLS, Minn, -- The 2009 Track & Field season kicked off with the Bethel Open. The Knights might not have sent a full contingent, but the three Carleton athletes that participated have got the team off to a great start this season.
Charlie Gamble (Jr./La Jolla, Calif.) opened up the season by not only winning the mile run, but doing so in personal-record time of 4:21.41, surpassing his previous personal best of 4:22.90.
Evan Franco (Jr./Austin, Texas/James Bowie) cleared 3.97 meters (13’ 0.25”) to win the pole vault. This was his fourth career indoor pole vault victory, with the other three all coming last season. His winning height is more than one foot better than his opening win in 2008.
Kyle Burkhardt (Jr./Eden Prairie, Minn.) also had a good day. He ran 9.14 in the 55m hurdles to advance to the event finals, where he placed sixth with a time of 9.11.
“I was very happy with the day's events,” said Carleton head coach Dave Ricks. “We're off to a great start in 2009.”
Carleton’s full team will compete next Saturday, Jan. 24 at the St Olaf Triangular, starting at 12 noon. The Knights will compete against student-athletes from Hamline and St. Olaf.
