FARGO, N.D. — Three Jackrabbits boost South Dakota State’s men’s track team to a runner-up finish with 162 points, while the women finish fifth with 79.5, at the Summit League Outdoor Track and Field Championship Saturday afternoon.
HEAD COACH ROD DEHAVEN
“I am very proud of the student-athletes today. In many areas, we exceeded expectations and I am proud of the way we competed. Like every conference meet, everything doesn’t go perfectly, but we rose to the occasion when we needed to in many instances and certainly those young men that won a league championship. Very proud of them, but really proud of all of our student-athletes and the way they represent themselves, the program, the university, and their families.”
Ethan Fischer obliterated the SDSU discus record by over 10 feet to win the event. Fischer posted a throw of 197-09 (60.27m), a new Summit League meet record, fifth in the West Region and 12th in the nation. Caymen Gebheim bested the program record as well, earning him a silver medal. Gebheim’s mark of 190-01 (57.95m) is currently 19th in the West Region and 38th in the nation. The previous Jackrabbit record stood at 187-00, set by teammate Caiden Fredrick.
“Obviously it was an outstanding effort to throw those big all-time marks,” said Head Coach DeHaven. “School history, meet history, all of that stuff is very impressive. That whole throws group really had a big day.”
Lucas Flemmer took home the gold in the 400-meter race with a run of 46.89, only 0.09 off of his program record set earlier this season.
Brandon Kampsen claimed the top of the podium in the 800-meter race. Kampsen finished with a time of 1:49.80 to win the event. Joe Dustin competed as well, finishing fourth with a time of 1:51.38.
Piper Eby took silver in the discus competition in her conference championship debut. Eby threw a mark of 155-11.00 (47.52m) to take her spot on the podium.
Cody Larson finished runner-up in the 5000-meter with a time of 14:23.93. Will Lohr joined Larson on the podium after crossing the line at 14:24.60 to take home bronze.
Ellie Harris earned bronze in the 200-meter with a run of 23.71. Harris also competed in the 100-meter, where she finished fourth with a time of 11.52, 0.01 seconds off from her personal record.
In relay events, the women’s 4X100-meter team, consisting of Silja Gunderson, Harris, Chloe Raw and Sian O’Sullivan, finished with a time of 45.53 to take third. On the men’s side, Parker Peterson, Landen Matkins, Carter Toews and Jake Werner, earned bronze as well after clocking a time of 41.11. Toews also competed individually in the 100-meter, where he finished fourth with a time of 10.53.
Jenna Johnson, Reese Luze, Erika Kuntz and Story Rasby competed in the women’s 4X400-meter, where they finished third with a time of 3:44.03. Rasby also competed in the 400-meter race, where she finished in the top five with a time of 55.62
The men’s 4X400-meter squad rounded out the night with a bronze medal. The squad, consisting of Cael Woods, Joe Dustin, Brandon Kampsen and Lucas Flemmer, clocked a combined time of 3:14.44 to earn their spot on the podium.
Brady Wallace posted a personal record in the 110-meter hurdles to become the second-best performer in Jackrabbit history. The freshman crossed the line at 14.04, placing fourth in the event.
Emma Gonzalez finished fourth in the women’s 5000-meter after crossing the line at 16:43.21 to become ninth all-time.
Alongside his 4X400-relay run, Woods competed in the 400-meter hurdles. The freshman posted a time of 53.43 to finish sixth in the event and become the 10th-best performer in program history, edging out Rich Soukup’s time of 53.44, set in 1964. On the women’s side, Jenna Johnson finished sixth after crossing the line at 1:01.93.
-GoJacks.com-