WINONA, Minn. — Ashley Dingels (Gibbon, Minn.) received one of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's highest honors as the Saint Mary's University track and field star's record-setting performance in the heptathlon earned her the MIAC Women's Most Outstanding Performance honor.

Ashley Dingels

Dingels not only locked up an automatic berth in next week's NCAA championships at Lawrence University in New York with her school-record point total of 4,641 in winning the MIAC's heptathlon, but she also broke the conference's 11-year heptathlon record in the process.

A record formerly held by the wife of SMU track and field coach Paul Thornton — SMU Dean of Students Julie Thornton.

Laura Bloedorn of Carleton and Jackie Luehmann of Gustavus were selected MIAC Women's Most Outstanding Track Athlete and Most Outstanding Field Athlete, respectively for their performances at the outdoor championship May 9-10. Bloedorn, who has automatically qualified for NCAA nationals in the 5,000 and 10,000-meter runs, was a double champion with wins in the both the 5000, and 10000. She also placed third in the 1500 meter run. Luehmann, placed in the top-three in three of the four throwing events, including a conference champion in the shot put. She will compete at the national meet in the shot put. Luehmann was second in the discus behind teammate Kristin Petersen, and was third in the Hammer throw.

On the men's side, Carson Glad of St. Thomas and Luke Speltz of Gustavus were selected MIAC Men's Most Outstanding Track and Field Athletes. Glad was a quadruple champion in the 100 and 200m dashes and as member of the in the 4x100 and 4x400-meter relay teams. He has provisionally qualified for the NCAA championships in the 200 and in both of the relays. Speltz was a double champion in the throws, winning both the shot put and the hammer throw. He also placed second in the discus. He will look compete in all three events at the NCAA national meet.

The award for MIAC Men's Most Outstanding Performance went Mike Marschel of Saint John's for his NCAA provisional qualifying performance in the 800 meter run.