The Baker University indoor track and field team traveled to Lamoni, Iowa, Friday winning nine events at the Graceland University Valentine’s Multi Meet.

Senior Regan Boyer hit a qualifying mark for nationals by winning the women’s high jump with a height of 5’4″.

“This is my first individual qualification mark, so it’s a really big deal to me because I didn’t have to rely on three other girls to run a good time. It was just me,” Boyer said. “It was pretty awesome.”

By winning her event with a height of 5’4″ she also achieved a career personal record, topping her previous mark of 5’2″.

Sophomore Justin Hill, middle distance runner, placed second in the men’s 1000-meter run and said the team is beginning to come together at the right time – before conference.

“I know from last year I feel like we’ve gained a lot,” Hill said. “I feel like everybody is getting into the right mindset.”

Sophomore Tanner Gleason and freshman transfer Brian Korn, from the University of Arizona, both won two events, each rounding out the successful day at Graceland.

Hill said some of the Baker athletes are carrying their performances from the fall into the indoor season.

“Our distance people had a really great cross-country season, and I feel like that is carrying over to this season,” Hill said.

For the past week, the team has been preparing for the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships through rest.

“Our coaches know the importance of rest because this is a really big meet for us,” senior Katey Wegemer said.

Boyer believes rest is a significant part in preparing for the conference championships.

“Usually conference week is a lot more relaxed than any other week, so we fine tune everything and get everything ready for the big two-day meet,” Boyer said.

Wegemer believes the track and field program is progressing well.

“All of our (women’s) seniors are going to nationals, and I think that’s a really big testimony to the strength of the program,” Wegemer said.

Hill said she’s eager to see what the future brings.

“We’ve put in a lot of hard work over the past couple months in the cold and everything,” she said. “It will be exciting to see not only individually where I end up but also as a team. We have a really great chance and I am excited to see where we end up.”

The Wildcats travel Friday to Lamoni, Iowa, to compete in the HAAC championships.