Mankato, Minn. --- Through one day of competition, the Minnesota State men's track and field program holds the top spot in team points following impressive performances all around.
Sophomore Frank Veldman (Eagan, Minn.) earned a quick ten points as he secured the high jump crown with a top jump of 6'9.75". Ben Ojika (New Brighton, Minn.) placed fifth as well at 6'4". Geno Bullard (Nassau, Bahamas) and Rumeal Harris (Eden Prairie, Minn.) earned fourth and fifth in the long jump with Bullard guiding the charge with a personal-best 23'2.5". Senior Austin O'Brien (Bettendorf, Iowa) earned his first conference placing in the 3000-meters finishing sixth at 8:32.12. Rounding out the completed events, the distance medley relay team, consisting of Brendan Gessner (Lino Lakes, Minn), Justin McMurtry (Fairmont, Minn.), Alexander Schoneberger (Bemidji, Minn.) and Ryan Ness (St. Paul, Minn.) finished fourth with a time of 10:34.33.
The preliminary rounds saw numerous Mavericks fight their way into the final round as well.
Sophomore Myles Hunter (Conyers, Ga.) posted the best time in the 60-meter hurdles at 7.78. He also becomes the new record-holder of the NSIC Championship meet in the event. Ojika, Zechariah Copeland (Brookfield, Wis) and Nathan Hancock (Independence, Mo.) will join Hunter in the final round tomorrow afternoon.
Four Mavericks will also take part in the final running of the 60-meter dash. Senior Emmanuel Matadi (St. Paul, Minn.) also set a new NSIC-Record running it in 6.67. Kyran Stewart (Camilla, Ga.), Bullard and Richard Wilhite, Jr. (Minneapolis, Minn.) will join Matadi in the event. Matadi, Stewart and Wilhite, along with senior Anthony Gustafson (Faribault, Minn.) also qualified for the finals in the 200-meters. Javontee Brice (Bradenton, Fla.) will get another crack at the 400-meters after his time of 50.27.
Victor Bowen (Milwaukee, Wis.) finished the 600-meters in 1:24.05 which puts him the final eight. O'Brien also reached the finals in the mile after his posting of 4:28.40. Rounding out day one action, Gessner secured his spot tomorrow in the 1000-meters from his effort of 2:35.59.
Day one concluded with the Mavericks sitting in first-place as a team with 45 total points. Minnesota State-Moorhead is right on their heels with 40.5 points.
Full results through today can be viewed HERE.
The championships will wrap up tomorrow afternoon with events set to begin at 10 a.m., in Myers Field House.
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