Concordia Classic features national qualifying time by Morrissey
By Taylor Mueller, Sports Information Assistant
SEWARD, Neb. – The men’s and women’s track and field teams competed in the annual Concordia Classic in a packed Walz Fieldhouse as hundreds of athletes roamed the track. The Bulldogs had yet another impressive showing as they squared off against numerous conference rivals and NCAA Division II programs such as Nebraska-Kearney.
Junior Noah Smith got things started when he placed fourth in the 60 meter dash with a time of 7.15 seconds.
The Bulldogs swept the 400 meter dash as sophomore Taiheem Pleasant ran away with first place with a time of 50.75 seconds while junior Alex Heiden took second with a time of 50.92 seconds.
Junior Ben Hinckfoot took second in the 600 meter run with a time of 1:24 while freshman Jacob Kettner raced to fourth with a time of 1:25.
Junior Andrew Malan finished in second place in the 800 meter run with a time of 1:57.
Sophomore Charlie Bloomfield claimed first place with a time of 2:35 in the 1000 meter run while fellow sophomore Ben Sievert took second in the mile with a time of 4:21.
Junior Jonathon Becker took fourth place in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.39.
The Bulldog 4x400 meter relay team of Becker, freshman Jaap Van Gaalen, Hinckfoot, and Heiden, took third in a time of 3:28.
The distance medley relay squad of junior Adam Prahlow, senior Jarrod Hoffman, Malan and Sievert ran away with first place and a time of 10:26.
Junior Carson Farr represented the Bulldogs in the pole vault, and placed third with a clearance of 15' 5 1/2" - a personal best.
Throwing the shot put 50' 6 3/4" and taking fourth was sophomore Jose Rojas.
Senior Colin Morrisey, who has qualified for nationals in the mile, the 3000 meter run and the 5000 meter run, had another good day when he took first in the 5000 with a time of 15:01.
“I was kind shooting for a really fast time today,” Morissey said. “Coach Thought I could run a fast time, I’ve been practicing really well. I fell off pace, but when you fall of pace, you don’t want to make up for lost time because then you start going up and down because then your time might be overall worse. It was a good race. It felt pretty good.”
Morissey talked about his winter break strategy, and how it has helped him.
“I decided to take this winter break pretty strong,” Morissey said. “I just really wanted to commit to getting a better base together so that I could carry myself through the season.”
On the women’s side, Jessica Klaustermeier took second in the 400 meter dash with a time of 1:01.
Kim Wood was the champion of the 600 meter run as she raced to a time of 1:38.
In the women’s 800 meter run, taking second was junior Jenean Williams with a time of 2:26.07. Right behind her was junior Megan Letts, who claimed third with a time of 2:26.55. Erika Schroeder took fourth with a time of 2:26.77.
Sophomore Renee Williams took fourth in the 1000 meter run with a time of 3:15.
The women’s 4x400 meter team, of freshmen Klaustermeier, Quriosity Young, Shelby Stolze, and Brittny Fox claimed third with a time of 4:10.
Jumping to second place in the pole vault was senior Ashlee Brown who cleared 10' 11". Freshman Katelyn Shoup took fourth in the triple jump, with a leap of 35' 8 1/2".
Taking care of business in the ring was sophomore Brittany Erdmann, who threw the shot put 44’ 6” for third place.
Throwing the weight a total of 58” 1 ¾” was junior Jamie Crouse.
“It’s not my best throw, but it’s still where I want to be,” said Crouse, whose final season goal is to be an All-American and finish in the top two at the national meet. “I’ve had a hard week of practice but I got some confidence back. I’ve got to work for more technique for conference.”
Morissey added that he is excited for what the season will bring, and is looking forward to the final stretch.
“I think we’re going to have a good season,” Morissey said. “We’re all shaping up pretty good, and we really want it to be our year this year to win that conference championship. It’s going to take a good effort from everyone.”
