Women's squad claims outright crown at Nebraska Wesleyan Invite, men finish third

Women's squad claims outright crown at Nebraska Wesleyan Invite, men finish third

The Concordia University, Nebraska, outdoor track team delivered one of its best performances of the season as the women's team claimed the tournament championship at the Nebraska Wesleyan Invite on Saturday, April 21.  The men's team finished third overall and several individuals posted impressive performances. 

The women's team finished with a combined 162.5 points to best Wayne State by 10.5 points.  University of Nebraska, Kearney was third with 115 points, followed by Nebraska Wesleyan at 109.5. Simpson College (54), Northwest Missouri State (6) and Creighton (6).

On the men's side, Nebraska Wesleyan was the team winner with 177 points, University of Nebraska, Kearney finished second with 169 points and Concordia was third with 165 points.  The rest of the field finished in the following order, Wayne State (56), Simpson (32) and Creighton (17).

Women's Highlights:

The Bulldogs women's team not only earned the team title, but senior Lauren Eickemeyer (Houston, Texas) and freshman Brittany Erdmann (Chanhassen, Minn.) qualified for the NAIA Outdoor National Championships with their effort in the shot put.

Eickemeyer placed third in the shot put as she hurled the ball 13.76m.  Erdmann was right behind her in fourth with a toss of 13.56m, eclipsing the automatic qualifying mark of 13.50m.

Early in the meet Concordia grabbed a stranglehold on the team competition by taking first, second and third place in the 800m run.  Senior Bethany Sutton (Lincoln, Neb.) won the event with a 2:15.91.  Right behind Sutton were sophomore Jenean Williams (North Mankato, Minn.) and junior Christina Tomka (Dodge, Neb.), Williams finished in 2:22.04, while Tomka took third at 2.23.95.  The trio combined to tally 24 team points for Concordia.

In the 1,500m run, Concordia continued to stockpile points with junior Jena Schwalenberg (Columbus, Neb.) and freshman Erika Schroeder (Davenport, Neb.) collecting 16 team points with a first and third finish.  Schwalenberg claimed the individual title with a time of 4:43.52, while Schroeder was third with a time of 5:03.65.

The Bulldogs dominated the 3,000m Steeplechase as well, amassing 24 more team points with first, second, fourth and fifth place finishes.  Senior Martha Meineke (Denver, Colo.) won the event in 11:40.32.  Senior Toni Hulinsky (Bayard, Neb.) finished second with a time of 12:08.01, while senior Anna Meyer (Seward, Neb.) placed fourth in 12:36.19 and freshman Shelby Hohnholt (Saratoga Wyo.) placed fifth in 12:45.24.  

Concordia also fared well in the Javelin as senior Marlee Denton (Fremont, Neb.) and junior Katie Rich (Tilden, Neb.) finished second and third respectively with throws of 36.55m and 35.51m

Men's Highlights:

The Concordia men's squad claimed three individual events, winning the 1500m run, the 4x400 Relay and the shot put. 

Freshman Benjamin Sievert (Frankenmuth, Mich.) claimed the 1500m run with a time of 3:57.44, just edging out Brandon Wissing of University of Nebraska, Kearney (3:57.81).

The Bulldogs 4x400 relay team posted a time of 3:21.59 to best University of Nebraska, Kearney by more than a second (3:22.74).  

Finally freshman Jose Rojas (Nogales, Ariz.) claimed the shot put with a toss of 14.51 meters.

Concordia will be back in action on Wednesday, April 25 as the Bulldogs compete in the Nebraska Mini Meet in Lincoln, Neb. at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.