The snow taking over Cedar Falls is a sure sign that indoor track season beginning for the University of Northern Iowa.

Once football season is over and the turf is rolled up, the UNI track and field team is ready to take over the dome. The Jack Jennett Open on Friday, Jan. 25 was filled with tough competitors that wanted to win.

On the field side of things, Cade Kirkpatrick was able to win the long jump with a mark of 23’11.5”, which currently ranks second in the Missouri Valley Conference. Katie Cross won the women’s long jump with a mark of 18-4.25.

Maddie McCalla, a senior sprinter for the cats, took first place in the 400-meter dash, running an MVC leading time of 55.54 seconds. McKayla Cole, reigning all-conference honoree in the outdoor 10,000-meter run, also blew the doors off her competition, winning the 3,000 by nearly a minute.

Following the dominance in the Dome, the Panthers headed south to Iowa City to compete in the Black and Gold Premier on Jan. 26. UNI took home five wins.

On the men’s side, Tayshaun Cooper continued his successful season thus far, winning the 60-meter dash in a time of 6.85 seconds and now leads the MVC with that time.

Alex Jackson also won the 3,000-meter run with a time of 8:38.87, his career best at this distance.

UNI’s throwers placed first and second in the shot put. Darius King won the title, followed by Keegan Tritle. The 4×400 squad won as well, with a time of 3:10.86. Lyndsie Schinkel was the only champion for the women, charging home for a victory in the 600-meter run, in 1:33.91.

Coming up, UNI will head to South Bend, Ind., and Lincoln, NE, on Saturday, Feb. 2.