While most of the members of SDSU’s track andfield team had the weekend off, a few Jackrabbits travelled to Des Moines, Iowa this past weekend to compete in the Drake Relays.

Scott Roby, Kevin Doe, Matt Pearson and Brad Lowery ran to victory in the distance medley relay, beating their closest competitor, Central Missouri State, by four seconds. The victory was the first at the Drake Relays for SDSU since 1987. That year, SDSU alum, and 2000 olympian Rod Dehaven ran the last leg of the relay for the Jackrabbits.

“The emails that came into the office Monday morning spoke volumes of the effort these guys gave to the race and our team,” head coach Paul Danger said. “The alums of our program were as, or maybe even more excited with the performance than I was. Our team ran smart, and competed hard for our school.”

Pearson and Lowery also ran in the 5,000 meter run, finishing second and seventh, respectively. Pearson finished in 14 minutes 18 seconds, while Lowery came across the line at 14:26.

Jennifer Stovall, Erin Woolley, and Dave Hegland all improved on their national qualifying times.

Stovall ran the 100 meter hurdles in 14.31 seconds. Woolley finished the 5,000 meter run in 17:17. Hegland ran the 110 meter hurdles in 14.51 seconds.

Hegland, Ben Johnson, Spencer Mortensen, and Matt Lockey ran the shuttle hurdle relay in 1:01.25.

On the weekend of April 19, SDSU’s finest travelled to Los Angelas, Calif. for the Mt. Sac Relays.

Kevin Doe ran the fastest 5,000 meter run by an SDSU athlete in nearly two decades. Doe finished in 14:16.

“Kevin has developed more than any athlete I have ever coached,” Danger said. “I couldn’t be more happy for him. It just goes to show what can be done in sport with a little bit of talent, and a lot of hard work.”

Pearson and Lowery both ran 3:48 in the 1,500 at Mt. Sac. The time was a personal best for both athletes.

The Jackrabbits will wind up their season at the Howard Wood Relays in Sioux Falls this weekend, the North Central Conference championships May 9 and 10, and the national championship at the end of May.

“This has been a tremendous year for the SDSU cross country and track and field program,” Danger said.

Despite hot temperatures and a long bus trip, SDSU track and field athletes set six provisional qualifying marks at the Division II Challenge in Emporia, Kan.

Matt Pearson set a provisional qualifying time in both the 800 meter run and the 1,500 meter run.

Pearson finished third in the 800 in 1:52.51. Pearson won the 1,500 in a meet record time of 3:49.57.

“Matt ran the fastest time he has ever run since coming to SDSU,” head track and field coach Paul Danger said. “Three men, including Kevin Doe, ran under the former meet record in that event, which shows how fast a time it really was.”

Doe finished third with a provisional time of 3:52.75.

Chris Gruenhagen had his breakthrough race of the season, finishing second in the 5,000 meter run in 15:26.52.

“This was the best race of Chris’s career at SDSU,” Danger said. “It was a warm 85 degrees during the 5k, but Chris really raced and competed harder than he has all year.”

David Hegland took second in the 110 meter hurdles with a provisional time of 14.7 seconds.

Mike Steele set a personal best in the steeplechase, finishing fourth in 9:31.6.

Jennifer Stovall led the ladies with two high finishes. She won the 100 meter hurdles in 14.52 seconds, setting a provisional qualifying time. She came in second in the long jump at 18 feet 8.5 inches.

Erin Woolley ran a provisional time of 10:08.78 in the 3,000 meter run, finishing second.

Jessica Meyer finished fourth in the discus with her throw of 133 feet 2 inches.

“Jessica’s throw was a personal best,” Danger said. “She is only 10 feet off a provisional mark, and is improving every meet. The first two meets have had little wind to help the flight of the discus, but if we can get a few breaks with the weather for her, she has a great opportunity to make it to nationals as a freshman.”

Three athletes set provisional qualifying marks April 5 at Northwest Missouri State University.

Brad Lowery and Doe went one-two in the 1,500 meter run with times of 3:51.71 and 3:52.98, respectively.

Stovall set a qualifying time in the 100 meter hurdles, winning the event in 14.44 seconds.

“This was a very good opener for these athletes and the rest of the team,” head coach Paul Danger said.

The Jacks travel to Fargo, ND this Apr. 17 to compete in the Bison Open.

The SDSU indoor track season concluded this past weekend in Boston, as seven Jackrabbits earned All-American honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

“This was the best NCAA meet our teams have had since I began,” head track and field coach Paul Danger said. “We had nine athletes qualify for the National Championships, and seven came back with All-American honors. We also had three personal best efforts which is great to be able to do at the Championships.”

Sheena Dauer surprised the field in the 5,000 meter run, finishing second in 16 minutes 51.77 seconds.

“Sheena had the finest race of her career,” Danger said. “She was one of the last qualifiers by time coming into the meet, and then went out and ran a 35 second personal best. She put in a lot of effort the last four weeks of the season and it all paid off.”

Cori Vining and Jennifer Stovall capped off their seasons by finishing fifth and sixth, respectively, in the 60 meter hurdles. Vining finished in 8.88 seconds, while Stovall finished right along side Vining in 8.89 seconds.

“The women hurdlers performed just as we had hoped,” Danger said. “We needed them both to make it to finals. They did that, and then went on to have great races.”

Jamie Keck finished 10th in the triple jump with a leap of 37 feet 8.5 inches.

Erin Woolley finished 13th in the 5,000 meter run at 17:28.

“Jamie and Erin both had good performances, and this will provide valuable help going into the outdoor season,” Danger said.

On the men’s side, Brad Lowery and Matt Pearson finished fifth and seventh, respectively, in a very competitive mile.

Lowery’s time of 4:05.33 was a personal best, as was Pearson’s time of 4:07.22.

Three seconds separated first place from seventh place, with only one and a half seconds from first to sixth.

Greg Darbyshire matched his personal best in the 5,000 meter run at 14 minutes 22.64 seconds. Darbyshire finished seventh.

“Greg showed that he can run with the most talented in our division,”Danger said. “Greg drifted back from the lead group, but closed the gap in the last 1,000 meters.”

David Hegland finished eighth in the 60 meter hurdles in 8.15 seconds.

“Even though Dave did not set a personal best, he kept great composure and secured his first All-American honor,” Danger said. “The Championships is not always about doing something new, sometimes it is about just doing as you have all season. Dave is a very consistent hurdler and this is very important at the Championships.”

The Jacks now have a few weeks to recover before competing in their first outdoor meet on April 5 at Northwest Missouri State University.

The SDSU men’s and women’s track and field teams both finished fourth at the North Central Conference indoor track meet Feb. 28 and Mar. 1 in Vermillion, SD.

“The teams performed the best they had all season at the NCC championships,” head coach Paul Danger said. “We had seven individual champions, one new NCC meet record, and many personal best performances.”

Dave Hegland set the NCC meet record in the 60 meter hurdles, winning the event in 8.09 seconds.

“Dave’s race really helped get the men’s team off on the right foot,” Danger said. “The hurdles is the first final of the day and I really like having that momentum immediately.”

Brad Lowery, Matt Pearson and Greg Darbyshire went one-two-three in the mile run. They finished with times of 4:11.53, 4:11.87, and 4:13.44.

“Brad is undefeated in the NCC indoor mile, winning last year as a true freshman,” Danger said. “With our finish in that race, we pulled in needed points.”

All three of these athletes came back in different events later on in the meet.

Pearson won the 1,000 meter run in 2:28.24.

Darbyshire and Lowery finished first and second, respectively, with times of 8:28.5 and 8:43.74.

Darbyshire’s time was within one second of the conference meet record.

“Greg is really running well going into the NCAA championships,” Danger said.

Joel Teachout took fourth in the 5,000 meter run with a time of 15:25.91.

Ben Fast rounded out the top finishes for the men with his fifth-place finish in the weight throw. Fast tossed the weight 51 feet 1 inch.

On the women’s side, Josey Meuer set a school record in the 200 meter dash at 25.55 seconds. She finished fourth.

Heather Hall finished second in the 400 meter dash in 57.68 seconds.

“These two women are going to be huge assets to our team during the outdoor season,” Danger said.

Cori Vining won the 60 meter hurdles in 8.71 seconds.

“Cori provided the same effect on the women’s team that Dave Hegland had on the men’s team in the 60 hurdles,” Danger said. “With those two races, I knew we were going to have a great day.”

Erin Woolley finished first in the 3,000 with a time of 10:09.39. She came back in the mile and finished second in 5 minutes 2.54 seconds.

“Woolley is a rock solid runner and always comes through for the team,” Danger said.

Kaylee Keating finished fifth in the 3,000 with a time of 10:46.15.

Sheena Dauer won the 5,000 meter run in 17:25.47.

“Sheena ran to a personal best and her first NCC indoor title,” Danger said. “She missed the NCC record by two seconds, but secured the needed qualifying time for the NCAA indoor championships.

Jamie Keck rounded out the top women’s finishes, taking fourth in the triple jump with her leap of 38 feet 6.25 inches.

“This year has really been terrific for SDSU track and field,” Danger said. “We performed well at the NCC championships, put 16 different people on the NCAA qualifying lists, and will finish by taking nine athletes to the National Championships. I am very proud of our teams and look forward to the National Championships.”

The SDSU track and field team had one last chance to prepare for the North Central Conference indoor championships next week, running at the John Dalton Open in Vermillion, SD, last Thursday.

“This meet provided the appropriate tune-up as we head into the NCC championships,” head track and field coach Paul Danger said. “We had some very good performances, as well as improvements for athletes currently on the NCAA national qualifying list.”

Ben Fast improved his school record in the weight throw, with a toss of 55 feet

Brad Lowery ran the fastest mile in Division II this year at the Tyson Invitational held at the University of Arkansas, to lead the SDSU track and field team this past weekend.

“Brad ran the best race of his career, taking third place in a very elite field,” head coach Paul Danger said. “The winner of the race placed second at the 2001 Division I National Championships.”

Lowery ran the mile in 4 minutes 6.58 seconds. Matt Pearson finished seventh in the race with a time of 4:09.29.

“Matt put together a very competitive race,” Danger said. “Many factors come into play at the National Championships, but these two have outstanding opportunities awaiting them at the NCAA championship in March.”

Erin Woolley moved up on the provisional list, running the mile in 5:00.

Those not traveling to Arkansas ran at the NDSU Open in Fargo, ND.

Mike Steele won the mile run at NDSU with his time of 4:20. He was followed in second by Chris Gruenhagen at 4:27. Clayton Lang finished fourth in 4:28.

Joel Teachout won the 3,000 meter run in 8 minutes 59 seconds. Jeremy VanVeen, running unattached for the Jackrabbits, finished second at 9:00.

Ben Fast continued to inch his way up the qualifying lists in the weight throw, and bettered his school record by throwing 54 feet 11 inches.

“This was a six inch personal best for Ben,” Danger said. “If he can put a little more distance on his throws, he has a great chance at making it to the national championships.”

Fast finished fourth in the shot put with his toss of 47 feet 2

SDSU track and field athletes set six NCAA provisional qualifying marks, and several personal bests in Fargo, ND last weekend.

The SDSU distance runners struggled this weekend at the Husky Open in St. Cloud, but the sprinters and throwers showed what they were made of with several top finishes and one school record.

Ben Fast placed fourth in the shot put with his throw of 47 feet 6 1/2 inches, but made his mark in the weight throw. Fast threw the 35 pound weight 54 feet 5 1/2 inches, breaking the school record by almost three feet.

“This was a great meet for Ben,” head coach Paul Danger said. “Not only did he set the school record, but his throw was a NCAA provisional qualifying mark. Ben is our lone football player on the team, and has always competed very well for us.”

Danger said that he thinks Fast will have a good chance of going to nationals if he can add another two feet to his throws.

Other key competitors for the men were David Hegland and Ben Johnson who finished second and third, respectively, in the 60 meter hurdles with times of 8.20 seconds and 8.36. Hegland is ranked eighth in Division II in the 60 hurdles.

Scott Roby finished third in the 1000 meter run in 2:34.

Josey Meuer and Taunja Disher led the lady Jacks with one-two finishes in the 60 meter dash and the 200 meter dash. Meuer won the 60 in 7.91 seconds, and the 200 in 25.55. Disher ran 8.04 and 27.18.

Heather Hall finished second in the 400 meter dash at 58.09.

Cori Vining won the 60 meter hurdles in 8.5 seconds. She is ranked third in D-II in the event.

She was followed closely by Jennifer Stovall, who finished in 8.93 seconds. She also finished second in the long jump with her jump of 17-10 1/2.

Megan Poppens won the mile with her time of 5:29.

Erin Woolley finished second in the 3,000 meter run at 10:14. She is currently ranked third in the nation in the 5,000 meter run. Sheena Dauer, who did not run, is ranked sixth.

Jamie Keck continued to dominate the triple jump competition, winning with a leap of 38-2 3/4. She ranks eighth nationally.

Krystie Ratzlaff finished second in the 1,000 meter run at 3:04. Fellow distance runner Kaylee Keating finished third in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:29.

Erin Delay finished second in the shot put with a toss of 39-9 1/4, and third in the weight throw at 38 9 3/4.

Jessica Meyer was close behind in fourth, with a throw of 38 6 3/4.

Pole Vaulter Teresa Kremer received complements from Danger after her seventh-place finish.

“Teresa did a nice job,” Danger said. “She narrowly missed the NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 11 feet 1/4 inches, but her attempt at it was great. She should get on the national list this weekend if all goes well.”

Jackrabbit standouts Brad Lowery, Matt Pearson and Greg Darbyshire did not run at the Husky Open. All three set qualifying times two weekends ago at meets in Minneapolis, Minn. and Lincoln, Neb.

“We had some outstanding performances from both teams at the U of M,” head coach Paul Danger said. “I think it is great to see when athletes step forward against outstanding competition and succeed.”

Lowery is currently ranked first in D-II in the mile. He succeeded in running an automatic qualifying time for the NCAA championships by winning the mile run in 4:07.94. Pearson is ranked third and clocked in at 4:08.85.

Darbyshire ran the third fastest time this year in D-II the 5,000 meter run at the University of Nebraska Invite, Jan. 24.

“I really like how motivated he is right now,” Danger said of Darbyshire. “I know he can run even faster.”

Hegland ran a provisional qualifying time in the 60 meter hurdles: 8.2 seconds.

On the women’s side, Stovall won the long jump with her leap of 17 feel 6 and three quarters inches. Keck took third in the event at 16 feet 5 and three quarters inches. She also turned in another convincing triple jump performance, finishing second at 38 feet 10 and a half inches.

“Jamie continues to improve each meet,” Danger said. “Her jump moved her up very well on the NCAA list national list.”

Vining rounded out the top finishers for the Jackrabbits, finishing third in the 60 meter hurdles in 8.88 seconds.

Woolley and Dauer also ran personal bests in the 5,000 meter run. They finished third and fourth, respectively, with times of 17:20 and 17:33.

Danger said that both teams continue to improve each week.

“They train hard…I am always proud of the way our teams compete, both in the field events and the running races.”

The Jackrabbits travel to Fargo this weekend to take part in the Bison Open.

The SDSU men’s and women’s track and field teams traveled to Minneapolis this past weekend claiming two victories and a handful of NCAA qualifying times.

“We had some outstanding performances from both teams at the U of M,”head coach Paul Danger said. “I think it is great to see when athletesstep forward against outstanding competition and succeed.”

Brad Lowery succeeded in running an automatic qualifying time for theNCAA championships by winning the mile run in 4:07.94. Matt Pearson wasclose behind at 4:08.85.

Danger said that the University of Iowa coach was impressed with theperformances by Lowery and Pearson.

Danger said that the coaches direct quote was, “how do your guys dowhat they do? They (Lowery and Pearson) really handed it to us today.”

David Hegland ran a provisional qualifying time in the 60 meterhurdles, with a time of 8.2 seconds.

On the women’s side, Jennifer Stovall won the long jump with her leapof 17 feel 6 and three quarters inches. Jamie Keck took third in theevent at 16 feet 5 and three quarters inches.

Keck turned in another convincing triple jump performance, finishingsecond at 38 feet 10 and a half inches.

“Jamie continues to improve each meet,” Danger said. “Her jump movedher up very well on the NCAA list national list.”

Cori Vining rounded out the top finishers for the Jackrabbits,finishing third in the 60 meter hurdles in 8.88 seconds.

Greg Darbyshire, Erin Woolley and Sheena Dauer ran at the University ofNebraska Invite on Friday.

Darbyshire ran his personal best in the 5,000 meter run at 14:22. Thistime is the third fastest 5k time in Division II this year. Darbyshireplaced fourth in the race.

“I really like how motivated he is right now,” Danger said ofDarbyshire. “I know he can run even faster.”

Woolley and Dauer also ran personal bests in the 5,000 meter run. Theyfinished third and fourth, respectively, with times of 17:20 and 17:33.

Danger said that both teams continue to improve each week.

“They train hard…I am always proud of the way our teams compete, bothin the field events and the running races.”

The Jacks run this weekend at St. Cloud State University.

The South Dakota State University men’s and women’s track and field teams showed promise in an early season meet at the Mankato Open this past weekend, coming away with a total of 13 event victories.

“This was our first event for the new year, and I was very happy with the efforts the athletes put forward,” head track and field coach Paul Danger said.

Jamie Keck continued where she left off last track season by dominating the triple jump. Keck leaped 38 feet 4 and three quarters inches to take first. Her jump was a NCAA qualifying mark. She placed third in the long jump with a leap of 17 feet 7 inches.

Josey Meuer won the 60 meter dash in 8 seconds flat. Meuer also won the 200 meter dash in 25.93 seconds. Taunja Disher was close behind in third place at 8.04 seconds.

Erin Woolley was victorious in the mile run with a time of 5:15. She

came back with a third place finish in the 800 meter run in 2:23.

Heather Hall ran 59.84 seconds in the 400 meter dash to take first.

Anne Jorgenson ran 1:01 and finished in third.

Sheena Dauer dominated the 3000 meter run with a final time of 10:15.

Fellow Jackrabbits Krystie Ratzlaff (10:54), Megan Poppens (10:57), and Erin Foss (11:24) took second through fourth places.

Cori Vining won the 60 meter hurdles in 8.98 seconds. Jennifer Stovall (9.02) and Erin Zempel (9.45) took second and third, respectively.

Vining also won the long jump with a leap of 17 feet 11 inches.

Erin Delay took second in the shot put with a throw of 40 feet 10 and one quarter inches.

On the men’s side, Greg Darbyshire placed in the top two in two events, first running to victory in the mile with a time of 4:16, and then finishing second in the 300 meter run in 8:30.

Brad Lowery won the 3000 in 8:25.

Scott Roby finished second in the mile in 4:27.

Matt Pearson won the 1000 meter run in 2:29.

David Hegland won the 60 meter hurdles in 8.22 seconds and then finished third in the 200 meter dash in 23.11.

Ben Johnson finished behind Hegland in the 60 hurdles with a time 8.44 seconds.

Rounding out the top finishers for the Jackrabbits was Ben Fast who won the weight throw with a toss of 51 feet 9 and three quarters inches.

The Jacks run next weekend with a slew of Division-I teams at the University of Minnesota Invite in Minneapolis. Danger said that the meet will be a good indicator of the current fitness level of the Jackrabbit track and field athletes.