FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota closed out 2025 by earning three individual crowns at the Dakota Alumni Classic on Thursday. The Fighting Hawks also posted 15 top-three finishes and added 10 improvements to the UND top-10 lists.

Early in the meet, Marta Marksa was victorious in the pentathlon with 3,650 points. Her point total now ranks No. 6 in school history. Marksa had the top marks in both the pentathlon 60-meter hurdles (8.73) and the 800 meters (2:22.95). She also had the second-best leap in the long jump (17-11, 5.46m).

Kajsa Cabanas Andersson was impressive in her first showing as a Fighting Hawk and earned 3,410 points in the pentathlon, which currently sits No. 10 in school history. Her pentathlon was highlighted by winning the shot put with a toss of 45-7 (13.89m) and that throw now ranks No. 10 in program history.

The women's throwers set the tone early in the weight throw, earning a 1-2-3 sweep of the medals. Julia Matthews gained the crown with a toss of 60-3 (18.36m). Kaylynn Red Tomahawk was the runner-up with a personal-best mark of 59-2 1/4 (18.04m) and Cailey Moton earned a third-place finish with a PR throw of 58-5 3/4 (17.82m).

Carter Byron earned the first title of the meet in the men's weight throw with a personal-best launch of 58-2 1/2 (17.74m). That throw currently sits No. 7 on the UND top-10 list.

Tyler Thoreson added his name to the UND top-10 list in the men's shot put with a PR of 54-6 1/2 (16.62m) and now has the No. 9 throw in program history.

Anya Williams shined late in the meet and posted a pair of runner-up finishes. In the final event of the meet, she earned a second-place finish in the triple jump with a PR leap of 39-3 1/4 (11.97m) and also recorded the No. 2 jump in school history. Her previous best in the triple jump was 36-2 3/4 (11.04m). Less than an hour earlier, Williams placed second in the high jump with a personal-best clearance of 5-5 1/4 (1.66m).

In the men's high jump, Carson Kunz finished third with a personal best of 6-7 (2.01m). With that PR, Kunz is now No. 8 in the event in program history.

Shane Zierden also had a pair of top-three finishes in his events. In the triple jump, he was the runner-up with a mark of 44-4 1/4 (13.52m). One hour prior, he was third in the long jump with a leap of 22-5 (6.83m).

In both sections of the rarely contested 600 meters, Fighting Hawks climbed the UND top-10 list. Gabriella Ruggeri was the runner-up in the women's section with a time of 1:36.26 and posted the No. 7 time in the event in school history. Darby Griffin also added his name to the all-time list in the men's section and is now No. 8 with a time of 1:22.54.

In the finals of the men's 60-meter hurdles, Ryan Lange took second in 8.47, trailed by Wyatt Genelin in third with a time of 8.66. Lange was 0.06 seconds shy from adding his name to the UND top-10 list.

Ava Phrakonkham reached the finals in the women's 60 meters with a time of 7.76 in prelims, which ranks No. 6 in school history. She tied that time in the finals and was just outside medaling territory, finishing fourth.

Josh Neil finished as the runner-up in the men's 400 meters (49.92), while Kimberly Hitchen took third in the women's 400 meters (56.81).

North Dakota will continue its indoor track & field slate after the Holiday break. UND will return to Fargo on Jan. 17 for the Bison Team Cup.

Post-Meet Notes
* North Dakota earned three individual titles at the Dakota Alumni Classic on Thursday. The Fighting Haws also recorded 15 top-three finishes and added 10 upgrades to the UND top-10 lists.
* Four athletes associated with North Dakota track & field competed in the pentathlon at NDSU. Marta Marksa won the title, trailed by Justina Esangbedo (unattached) finishing fourth, Kajsa Cabanas Andersson placing fifth and Finley Davignon taking 17th.
* Anya Williams posted the most impressive PR of the meet for UND with a triple jump leap of 39-3 1/4 (11.97m). That mark currently ranks as the No. 2 jump in school history. Her previous best in the event was 36-2 3/4 (11.04m).