MANKATO, MINN. – With five NCAA DII provisional marks, a school and NSIC record in different event and four program top-10 marks, the University of Sioux Falls Men's and Women's Track and Field Team had a strong opening day performance at the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Myers Fieldhouse on Friday (Feb. 28).

Through day one, the USF Men's Team is eighth with 10 points while the Women's Team is ninth with 11 points. The overall leaders are U-Mary with 44 points in the women's competition and Minnesota State with 50 in the men's competition.

USF picked up a title in the Men's Distance Medley Relay as anchor leg and All-American Zach Lundberg, passed the Augustana runner on the final lap as USF won the third DMR championship in four seasons with an NSIC record and NCAA DII Provisional Mark of 10:04.89.  Other relay members included Jayden Slaba, Logan Hansen and senior Billy Beseman. The four-person relay recorded the seventh best indoor mark in school history.

USF's other record was by sophomore KaNya Henderson, who seems to break a school record every time she steps onto the track. Henderson broke her own school mark for a third time this year by clocking a 7.55, which was fourth overall and advances her to the finals on Saturday. Her time of 7.55 is also an NCAA DII provisional mark and ranks 12^th nationally. Also qualifying for the finals tomorrow at 3 pm will be senior Sarah Troescher, who was seventh in in 7.70. Freshman Jailah Brice-Moore finished in 7.91 for 17^th but did not advance.

"It was exciting to watching what KaNya (Henderson) did today in the 60-meters and it should be fun tomorrow with her in the women's race and Jonathan Rowe in the men's race in the 60," said USF Director of Track and Field Doug Petersen. "I felt like we had some really good efforts today and it was a good start for the meet. I am looking forward to see what we can do on Saturday," he said.

Men's Breakdown --

Senior Jacob Morse, who ranks 15^th in DII in the 60-meter hurdles, advanced to the 2:10 pm final on Saturday by clocking an 8.19 prelims time which was second best qualifying mark. He also met an NCAA DII qualifying mark.

Senior Jonathan Rowe was fifth in the 60-meters prelims with a 6.965 and will race for team points at 3:10 pm on Saturday. Sophomore Nate Andrusick also ran in the 60-meters and was 11^th in 7.05.

Advancing tomorrow in the 1,000 meters was senior Billy Beseman, who clocked a 2:33.14 which was third among qualifiers. He will run in the finals at 4:10 pm on Saturday.

In the 800-meters, junior Logan Hansen was 11^th in 1:59.73. Four USF runners competed in the 5,000-meter run with sophomore David Ecker placing 13^th in 15:47.11. Sophomores Seth Overholt, 17^th (15:54.91); Aaron Voight, 19^th (16:07.36) and Wyatt Schlager, 22^nd (16:19.86) also had solid efforts in the distance race.

In the men's weight throw, senior Chandler Nelson was ninth with a throw of 17.03m or 55-10.5. In the long jump, freshman Christian Riley was 12^th on 6.44m or 21-01.50 while sophomore Casey Hackett was 13^th in 6.41m or 21-00.50.

Women's Breakdown

USF had three individuals to score points besides USF's DMR, which placed sixth. The DMR team included Annika Aho, Mercy Oyadare, Cassidy O'Meara and Taryn Ceglowski, which clocked 12:35.34. It is a time that ranks 4th all-time in USF Indoor record book.

Advancing to the finals in the 800 meters at 3:40 pm tomorrow was Ceglowski, who clocked a 2:19.27 for fourth among qualifiers.

USF also received points in the women's pole vault where sophomore Carolyn Groeger was eighth in 3.27m (10-08.75). In the high jump, sophomore Taylor Stoltz just missed her personal best as she was fourth with a leap of 1.63m or 5-04.25.

In the weight throw, USF had a pair of NCAA DII provisional marks. Junior Emma Hertz placed seventh overall with a throw of 17.82M or 58-05.75. Also meeting the DII provisional standard and doing it for a fourth time this year was senior Jaime McNamee who was ninth with a throw of 17.70m or 58-01.00. Also in the weight throw, Kourtney Rozeboom was 18^th in 15.14m or 49-08.25 while junior Carla Walquist was 20^th at 14.71m or 48-03.75.

 In the women's 60-meter hurdles, Emily Olson finished 15^th in 9.32 and Meara Beighley was 20^th in 9.794 with Jailah Brice-Moore 21^st in 9.798 but they did not advance.

In the 400 meters, freshman Cassidy O'Meara was 19^th in 1:44.12. Freshman Annika Aho was 15^th in the 1,000 meters with a clocking of 3:08.40. In the 200 meters, Henderson was 14^th in 25.65 while Troescher finished 16^th in 25.83.

Also for USF, three individuals competed in the long jump. Freshman Natalie Meyers was 11th at 5.28m or 17-04.00. In the event, Olson was 14^th in 5.14m or 16-10.50 and senior Clara Paul was 18^th with a jump of 5.04m or 16-06.50.