Owing largely to relief from the weather purgatory that had afflicted the first month of spring sports, the mood at Friday’s Hamline Elite Track and Field meet was almost giddy.

For many of the athletes, it was the first chance to compete outdoors. Winning or losing was less important than simply getting the chance to workout in the sunshine.

“Oh, this feels so good,” said Minnetonka junior Mia Barron, who won the 100-meter hurdles, long jump and triple jump. “To be able to finally get outside is so nice.”

Barron led a Minnetonka girls team that acquitted itself well. In addition to her three victories, the Skippers won the 4x400 and 4x800 relay teams and got a second-place finish from Elizabeth Endy in the 400-meter dash.

Other West Metro athletes who had success were Blake’s Clare Flanagan, who outkicked Shakopee’s Maria Hauger to win the girls’ 3,200-meter run; Flanagan’s teammate, Carolyn Nye, winner of the girls’ pole vault; Bloomington Jefferson’s Matt Rosen, boys’ 800-meter champion; Chaska’s Joey Duerr, winner of the boys’ 3,200 meter run; Holy Family sophomore Chazz Johnson, who won the boys’ long jump and Wayzata’s boys’ relay teams, which won the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relays.

Softball success

• Orono junior shortstop Becky Smith helped get the Spartans off to a 2-0 start, going 6-for-8 with three extra-base hits, a two-run home run and five runs scored in victories over Totino-Grace and Buffalo.

• Minnehaha Academy sophomore shortstop Jennifer Mrozek went 6-for-7 with two doubles, five runs scored and four stolen bases, leading the Redhawks to victories over Randolph and St. Croix Lutheran.

• Benilde-St. Margaret’s went 4-1 on the week, largely on the strength of sophomore first baseman Maddie Houlihan’s bat. She went 9-for-14, scored eight runs, drove in six, homered twice and stole eight bases.

Woodring leads Eden Prairie

The Eden Prairie boys’ lacrosse team opened Lake Conference play with convincing victories over Hopkins, Edina and Minnetonka.

Senior midfielder Jake Woodring provided the punch, scoring 13 goals and adding two assists. On the season Woodring, who will play for the University of Denver next year, has 19 goals and four assists for the No. 1-ranked Eagles.