LA CROSSE, Wis. – Juniors Ignatius Fitzgerald and Kevin Turlington turned in top-25 national times, as the St. Olaf College men's and women's track and field teams sent a small contingent of runners to the Phil Esten Challenge on Friday evening at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex.

Competing against some of the top runners in the region, Turlington won the men's 10,000-meter run and Fitzgerald placed fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase to highlight the night for St. Olaf, which finished eighth of 24 teams with 18 points. Three Oles ran in the women's 10,000-meter run, as St. Olaf did not earn any points in the team standings.

Competing in his first collegiate 10K, Turlington finished first out of 53 finishers with a time of 30:03.73, which ranks first in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, 25th in NCAA Division III, and second on St. Olaf's all-time list. The junior led for nine laps starting shortly before the midpoint of the race before reclaiming the lead with five laps to go.

Fitzgerald placed fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and improved his MIAC-leading time this season by clocking in at 9:11.52. That time ranks 20th in NCAA Division III this season. Senior Sean Hartney took seventh in the 1,500-meter run (3:55.35) as well.

First year Arabella England posted the top finish of the night for the Ole women, taking 26th in the 10,000-meter run (39:22.55) Senior Cate Gleason finished 33rd (39:48.29), while first year Lizzy Wider as 45th (40:56.68).

Both St. Olaf teams will be in action at the Carleton Relays on Saturday, April 19 starting at 11 a.m. at Laird Stadium.