SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The indoor track and field season got an early preview on Friday for Grace.

The Lancers began the day competing at Notre Dame's Blue and Gold Invitational.

Grace also sent several runners to the GVSU Holiday Open in Allendale, Mich. The Lancers' distance crew had 11 runners compete in the 5,000-meter run.

On the women's side, Esther Cameron and Kylie Sauder both reached the NAIA "A" standard in their first races of the year. Cameron finished the race in 17:11.53, and Sauder was just behind at 17:14.12.

Both Cameron and Sauder shattered the previous school record in the 5,000, breaking the previous mark by nearly a minute (Heather Plastow, 2022).

Brandon Kleber had the men's top time at 14:46.76, making an NAIA "B" standard in his season debut.

Cole Johnston ran 14:57.49, and Brady Hunsberger was next in line at 15:04.94.

The women had three athletes earn top-10 showings in their respective events at Notre Dame.

In the 400-meter run, Zoe Haley (1:02.85) and Kaitlyn Strietelmeier (1:04.46) finished eighth and ninth respectively.

Lanae Crowe also placed eighth in the weight throw at 40-feet-9.75.

On the men's side, freshman Michael Muiruri was the runner-up in the triple jump at 43-5.75. Noah Zimmerman grabbed third place in the long jump (22-9.25).

Jackson Winery (51.60) and Matthew Helton (52.88) finished fifth and eighth respectively in the 400, and Connor Etchison ended in 10th place in the shot put and 14th in the weight throw.

The Lancers will not compete again until 2025. Grace's next meet is the Mastodon Invite in Fort Wayne on Jan. 18.