FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State women's track & field team opened the 2022 indoor season by hosting the Dakota Alumni Classic at the Shelly Ellig Indoor Track & Field Facility on Friday.
 
In her multi-events debut, NDSU's Nell Graham won the pentathlon with a score of 3,277 points. Traditionally a 400m runner, Graham competed in all five pentathlon events (60m hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump, and 800m) for the first time at the collegiate level on Friday.
 
NDSU alum and now professional thrower Maddy Nilles won the weight throw with a meet record 72-10.50 (22.21m). Current NDSU All-American Amy Herrington was the top collegian with a throw of 67-01.25 (20.45m).
 
A pair of Bison newcomers made impressive debuts in the sprints. NDSU freshman Christiana Collins won the 200m dash title in 25.13 and was the runner-up in the 60m dash, clocking 7.68 in the prelims to tie for eighth-fastest in school history.
 
Sophomore transfer Bonet Henderson was second in the 200m dash in 25.43, and she placed third in the 60m dash in 7.77.
 
Second-year freshman Salmata Korgho took the 60m hurdles title, running 8.80 in the prelim and 8.76 in the final.
 
Freshman Claire Howell (Moorhead, Minn.) won her first race as a Bison, taking the 400m dash title in 58.14. NDSU redshirt freshman Kaci Cooper won the 600m in 1:37.61.
 
Junior Alissa Melvin won the triple jump with a mark of 38-05.50 (11.72m) – her best in her time at NDSU. Sophomore Lexi Jordheim won the pole vault, clearing 11-04.25 (3.46m).
 
Grace Zimmerman clocked 58.90 for second place in the 400m. Senior Amanda Anderson was third in the weight throw (60-03.25 / 18.37m) and fourth in the shot put (48-11.50 / 14.92m).