Heidi Ertl ran 17:54.44 in the Women's Invitational 5000m Run at the "Big Meet" hosted by Grand Valley State. Her time was within a few seconds of the career best which she turned in at the UWP Ranger Open on Jan. 22. Her improvement this winter, over her career best set last winter of 18:26.99, has moved her into the Top 40 of Division II runners on the NCAA list.
"Heidi had a very good race," said UW-Parkside head coach Mike DeWitt. “This was the first time this year that she was racing without it looking 'forced'. She is just a few seconds off of the Provisional Mark."
Ertl and Ben Orvold on the men’s were the only entrants accepted into the Invitational Sections of the "Big Meet" which was attended by over 40 colleges and universities, including 5 Big Ten Schools and athletes from as far away as California, Colorado and Florida.