Minnesota State participates in MSU Open

The Minnesota State men’s and women’s track and field teams had excellent performances in the Minnesota State University Open and Multi. The MSU open was last Friday evening and all day Saturday at the Myers Field House.

For the men, Friday began with heptathlon events such as the 60-meter hurdles, long jump, and shot put. Competing for the Mavs in the heptathlon were sophomores Jack Curtis, Calvin Buesgens, and Logan Bristol. Curtis earned a score of 4691, which placed him at third, and was a provisional qualifying mark.

The women’s day started off with field events and long distance races. The Mavs distance medley team, who consisted of Megan Allen, Amelia Kjos, Haley Kruger, and Erin Baker, won the race in convincing fashion. They ended with a final time of 11:58.09, which was a provisional qualifying time.

Saturday started off with the sprint races. On the men’s side, sophomore Vance Barnes placed fourth in the 60-meter dash with a time of 6.96. Sophomores Tanner Ogren and Reid Diamond placed second and third, respectively, with times of 22.03 and 22.31. Sophomore John Schuster finished second in the 400-meter dash at 50.17.

The success would also continue for the women’s sprinters. Karlona Gregory (7.63), Brieanna Puckett (7.72), and Gabi Gaines (7.77) took the top three spots in the 60-meter dash. Gregory’s time was good enough for a provisional qualifier as well. Sophomore Afure Adah took first place in the 200-meter dash with a provisional qualifying time of 24.92.

Long distance was next up on Saturday. Freshman Austin Yardley finished second place in the 1000-meter run at 2:34.84. Freshman Derek Finsterwalder took fourth place in the 800-meter dash with a time of 1:57.40.

For the women, sophomore Bobbi Patrick took first place in the 600-meter dash with a time of 1:39.03. Mavericks swept the top three spots for the 800-meter run, led by Kruger at 2:13.22. Allen (2:14.07) and Sjelin (2:18.46) finished second and third, respectively. Junior Erin Baker finished first in the one mile run with a career best time of 5:06.58.

For the field events on the men’s side, senior Alex Campbell took first place in the long jump at 22 feet, 8 inches. Campbell also finished first in the high jump with a provisional qualifying mark of 6 feet, 8.75 inches. Junior Sam Udermann made a career-best mark in the weight throw. His 57 feet, one-inch mark was good enough for first place and a provisional qualifying throw. The women’s field team had one participant place first. Senior Brianna Ziolkowski won the high jump with a 5 foot, 7.75-inch mark, a personal best and provisional qualifying standard.

MSU will look to continue their dominance here again next Saturday at the Ted Nelson Classic. It will be hosted all day at the Myers Field House.