FULLERTON, Calif. – North Dakota opened its outdoor season on Friday at the Ben Brown Invitational and came away with three titles while placing 15 times. Jadyn Keeler also broke her own school record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and five other improvements were made to the UND top-10 list.

Keeler was the first Fighting Hawk to claim a title at the meet, winning the 3,000-meter steeplechase and claiming the crown in the process with a PR time of 10:42.85. She broke her previous record of 10:46.45, which she set at the 2022 Summit League Outdoor Championships. Her time was also a new meet record for the Ben Brown Invitational, breaking the record of Helena Valentic (CSU Bakersfield), who set it at 11:25.58 last season.

Frida Giersdorff also made her mark on the UND top-10 list in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, placing fifth in 11:14.11, which moved her up to No. 7 in school history.

Aleksa Milanovic won the 1,500-meter title with a time of 3:51.33. Alec Nelson crossed the finish line fourth with a personal-best time of 3:53.52, while Ian Busche was right behind him and took fifth in 3:54.59. Nelson's PR moved him up to No. 4 on the UND top-10 list, while Busche moved onto the list with the No. 6 time in program history.

In the final event on the track, a trio of Fighting Hawks placed in the 800 meters. Nelson was the runner-up in 1:51.95, followed by Jesse Middendorf taking third (1:52.33) and Milanovic placing fifth (1:53.37). It was the closest race of the day, with it coming down to a photo finish and Tarron Johnson of UC Riverside (1:51.94) just edging Nelson for the title.

Justin Jelaca also added his name to the UND top-10 list in the 5,000 meters, clocking a time of 14:52.85, which was good for the No. 6 time in school history.

UND impressed in the javelin, with the Hawks going 1-2-3 and placing four times. Eucabeth Kivikangas was victorious with a throw of 123-6 (37.66m), while Malene Kollberg was the runner-up (120-0, 36.58m) and Justina Esangbedo took third (116-6, 35.52m). Elle Thorson also placed seventh with a mark of 109-2 (33.29m).

Emily Ash finished fourth in the pole vault and entered the UND top-10 list with the No. 4 clearance in school history with a height of 12-0 3/4 (3.68m).

Tiffanie Magnusson took fourth in the long jump with a leap of 18-4 1/2 (5.60m).

Kaylynn Red Tomahawk was the first Hawk to place at the meet and finished seventh in the hammer throw with a toss of 164-2 (50.05m).

North Dakota will conclude its stay at the Ben Brown Invitational on Saturday with field events starting at Noon (CT) and action on the track commencing at 2 p.m. (CT). Live results will continue to be provided by Finished Results.