DSU Track Teams Kicks Off First Meet

Trent Lutmer

The Dakota State University men’s and women’s track teams kicked off their indoor season on Saturday in Sioux Center, Iowa.  The Trojans competed in the Dordt Invitational with two individuals Andy Coy and Danielle Rowe qualifying for the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships. The National Championship will be held March 3-5 in Geneva, Ohio.

Sophomore All-American Andy Coy qualified for the national meet and came away with a second place finish in the 600-meter run.  His time was 1:22.43 which gives him the provisional mark. “I thought I ran really well for this early in the year.  I got into a great heat with some fast guys and they pushed the pace,” said Coy about his race.

Other performances include Thomas Kjerengtroen was seventh with a time of 1:26.95 in the 600-meter run.  Senior Devon Berkness finishing second in the men’s 3000-meter run with a time of 8:55.79 and Sophomore Michael Hoffman was seventh in 9:40.52.

Sophomore Stacey Berg captured fourth-place finish in the men’s long jump with a measurement of 21 feet and 6.75 inches. He was ninth in the men’s 55-meter dash with a time of 6.79 seconds. Freshman Shane Whidby placed sixth in the men’s shot put with a measurement of 44 feet and 5.25 inches. Sophomore Jeff Rieger was eighth (42 feet and 1.5 inches).  Freshman Nate Schultz finished in a tie for seventh place in the men’s high jump with a jump measurement of five feet and eight inches.

On the women’s side, Senior All-American Danielle Rowe qualified for NAIA nationals meet for her fourth straight year in women’s high jump. Rowe also won the individual title with a jump of five feet and 3.75 inches, which gives her the provisional standard.

Other individual performances included sophomore All-American Brittany Young who captured second-place, just inches from first place in the women’s 600-meter run. She finished with a time of 1:40.36 seconds.

Amber Krogstad and Stephanie Uher were tied for seventh in high jump. They both jumped the height of four feet and 8.25 inches. Krogstad placed fifth in the women’s triple jump with a measurement of 34 feet and 3.5 inches. She was seventh in the long jump with (15 feet and 10.25 inches).

The Trojans will return back to action next Saturday where they will compete in the Wayne State Invitational in Wayne, NE.