Bulldogs take home nine events at Concordia Midweek Invite

Bulldogs take home nine events at Concordia Midweek Invite

The Concordia University, Nebraska, track teams claimed a combined nine first place finishes at the Concordia Midweek Invite in Seward, Neb. on Friday, April 6.  Originally scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 4, the Bulldogs postponed their Invite for two days due to inclement weather. 

In addition to the eight event victories, Concordia had two athletes qualify for the NAIA Outdoor National Track and Field Championships.  Seniors Sara Retzlaff (Pierce, Neb.) and Derek Rodine (Polk, Neb.) reached NAIA automatic qualifying standards respectively in the women's discuss and men's hammer throw.  For Rodine this is the second event he has reached the automatic qualifying standard.  He qualified in the shot put during the Wildcat Invite on Saturday, March 31.

Retzlaff delivered a 43.70m discuss toss to finish second in the event.  Her throw was .20m beyond the NAIA automatic qualifying mark. 

Rodine's hammer throw traveled 54.07m, a full 1.07m better than the automatic qualifying mark of 53.00m.  Rodine was the Bulldogs top finisher in the event, placing fourth. 

The Bulldog's first event win came early in the Invite as sophomore John Cartier (Las Vegas, Nev.) brought home the 100m dash in 10.98, the second event of the day.   Cartier repeated the feat in event six, nabbing the 400m dash in 49.33. 

Cartier's effort began a trend as Concordia claimed the next two events as well.  Senior Bethany Sutton (Lincoln, Neb.) took the 800m run in 2:25.55.  Moments later, senior David Eads (Bellevue, Neb.) claimed the men's 800m run with a time of 1:55.58.

Sophomore Adam Prahlow (Florrisant, Mo.) continued the winning ways for Concordia in event 10, grabbing the 1500m run in 4:15.23.  

Concordia's next win came in the women's 5,000m run as junior Jena Schwalenberg (Columbus, Neb.) bested the field by close to two minutes at 18:17.28.  

The next two Bulldog wins came in the field.  Junior Bryan Heidemann (Elk Creek, Neb.) collected both, earning the men's high jump at 1.91m and the long jump at 6.64m. 

The final victory came in event 41, as sophomore Jonathon Becker (Hartington, Neb.) brought home the 400m hurdles in 54.90.  Becker bested fellow sophomore Benjamin Hinckfoot (Colorado Springs, Colo.) by 1.76 seconds.

Concordia will be back in action on Saturday, April 14 as the Bulldogs host their second consecutive home meet.  Competition in the Concordia Outdoor Invite is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.