Strong Start to the DSU Track & Field Season
On Friday, Jan 11, the DSU Track and Field team competed at the Minnesota State-Mankato Invitational. Two individuals attained titles at the meet: Braden Curnow the 3000-meter run title and Mallory Aughenbaugh the title for the 1000-meter run. Several other athletes hit or broke personal records, including Maxwell Cruse, Matthew Dunn, Connor Tordsen, Brandon Schmit, Timothy Ward, Alyssa Juelfs, and Taylor Sprecher.
As the track & field season launches into full gear, the Trojan teams are anticipating a good year. A goal that has been just barely out the reach the last couple seasons has been winning conference, but the teams are striving for that title this year.
Kennan Kelly, a long jumper and sprinter for the Trojans, mentioned another goal: “The teams are hoping to get as many people qualified for nationals as possible.” He also noted it is already looking promising for several athletes: Timothy Ward, Alex Derr, Josh Snook, along with some long distance runners. With the arrival of talented new runners and the support the teams are receiving, Kelly is eager and hopeful for this season.
The DSU team already achieved the kind of success Kelly anticipated in the South Dakota State D2 Open on Jan 18 in Brookings, SD. Several Trojans already qualify for NAIA Indoor Track Nationals and many broke personal records.
DSU Track & Field teams will return to Mankato on January 25 and 26 for the Minnesota State-Mankato Open with the Dakota Wesleyan Invitational and the South Dakota State Classic also close on the radar. The students and staff of Dakota State are just as anxious as the athletes and coaches to see what the team accomplishes this season. Go Trojans!
