Track and field sets sights on Dordt Invitational
MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University men’s and women’s track and field teams return to action once again this weekend to compete at the Dordt Invitational beginning at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow in Sioux Center, Iowa.
MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University men's and women's track and field teams return to action once again this weekend to compete at the Dordt Invitational beginning at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow in Sioux Center, Iowa.
A week ago, Dakota Wesleyan hosted its first meet of the year at the DWU/Avera Sports and Wellness Complex in Mitchell as both squads recorded several first-place finishes and impressive performances.
In the throwing ring, senior Caden Milmine (Buffalo, Wyo.) and sophomore Ryan Kienzle (Gillette, Wyo.) finished first and second in the shot-put. Milmine claimed the men's title on his fourth toss of the day with a mark of 49-10 feet (15.19m) while Kienzle tallied a mark of 43-9 feet (13.33m) on his first attempt. After Saturday's performance, Milmine is currently ranked ninth nationally and fifth in the conference in the event.
Fellow DWU thrower Morgan Taft (Norris, S.D.) also secured an event title a week ago at the DWU Invitational as she swept the field in the weight toss. On her third attempt of the day, Taft tallied a mark of 49-2.25 feet (14.99m) and is currently ranked 18th nationally and 12th in the conference in the event. Sophomore Darby Deffenbaugh (Kimball, S.D.) finished in second place and recorded a personal best of 43-5 feet (13.23m).
Senior jump specialists Lia Guigui (Rapid City, S.D.) and Lydia Gerber (Canton, S.D.) enter Saturday's competition with national status on the runway. Gerber, who currently ranks fifth nationally in the triple jump, leads the conference in the event with a season-best of 36-4.75 feet (11.09m). Meanwhile, Guigui maintains a season-best of 16-7 feet (5.05m) in the long jump and is sixth nationally in the high-jump with a leap of 5-3 feet (1.60m).
After a pair of top-10 all-time finishes in the 60-meter dash a week ago, freshman Benjamin Heyd (LaMoure, N.D.) and junior Austin Hughes (Box Elder, S.D.) aim to continue their progression in the event. Heyd ranks 13th in the conference after a mark of 7.32 seconds and a third-place finish in the 60-meter finals.
Freshman middle-distance runner Hunter Shanks (Bennington, Neb.) will also compete on the track for the Tigers in the 1,000 meters and 600-meter dash. In the 800 meters, sophomore Justin Sorensen (Vermillion, S.D.) looks to clock an impressive time as he will compete in the event for the first time this season. Sorensen holds a collegiate best of 2:03.37 minutes in the event from a season ago.
To stay up to date with all of the action and performances by the Tigers on Saturday follow online or via live stats.
