VERMILLION, S.D. -- The Minot State University track and field team saw multiple program records fall at the University of South Dakota Early Bird on Saturday in Vermillion, South Dakota.
First on the men's side of the track was where most of the records were shattered during action today. The Early Bird event opened with the javelin throwers getting off to a fantastic start as
Leif Nelson won the event with a throw of 55.71 and
Ben Aasen finished third with a throw of 51.58.
This is the second consecutive week that these two talented student-athletes finished in the top-3 in the javelin throw. An event that the Beavers do not compete in during the indoor campaign, has been one of its most dynamic during the outdoor season.
The records continued to fall once the competitors took to the track as
Jacob Jensen shattered the DII program record in the 1500m with a time of 3:59.83. Jensen fell just six seconds shy of the all-time program record in the 1500m, which is held by Mark Morrison (3:53.51) and was set in 1977. Jensen finished 10th in the event.
Lewis Cotterill became the second Beaver to break a DII program record today, as he smashed the time in the 800m. Cotterill's time of 1:52.48 was also number one in the NSIC to help him win the event and set a new program record.
Tito Gonzalez placed 22nd in the 1500m with a time of 4:11.71, Gavin Jorgenson placed 28th with a time of 4:17.50, and
Ryan Kohler finished 32nd with a time of 4:25.09.
In the women's shot put,
Chloe Gunderson finished 24th with a throw of 11.10.
Samantha Brunelle placed 32nd with a throw of 9.44.
Fadzai Madavo placed 33rd with a throw of 9.30 and
Peyton Lammerding finished 34th with a throw of 9.28.
In the women's 5000,
Caitlin Cornell came close to making the podium as she finished in fourth place with a time of 18:40.90 and
Lauren Reeves finished 12th with a time of 20:42.10.
In the men's 400m,
Chase Tandy finished in 5th place with a time of 49.25. He was a little over one second behind fourth-place Tafara Hondonga of Northern State.
Other finishes for the Beavers
Joseph Green - 14th - 200m (22.44)
Juan Gutierrez - 15th - 800m (1:59.15)
Joseph Green - 16th - 100 (11.24)
Ashley Miller - 18th - 400 (1:03.87) & 23rd - 200m (27.32)
Monica Okopal - 25th - 800m (2:39.02)
Marco Murillo - 25th - 800m (2:05.22)
Connor Bishop - 28th - 100 (12.34)
Vincente Guereca - 28th - 800m (2:17.55)
Christian Bird Hat - 29th - 800m (2:20.11)
Fadzai Madavo - 32nd - 100m (14.83)
Connor Bishop - 32nd - 200m (25.05)
The men's track and field team and women's track and field team are back competing at the University of South Dakota on Friday, Apr. 9, and Saturday, Apr. 10 next weekend.
