FINAL RESULTS
MANKATO, Minn. – Augustana opened the indoor track and field season by crowning three champions and placing 12 total athletes at the Minnesota State Preseason Open.
Runa Falch set a school record in the 3,000-meter run to lead the Vikings.
Falch's time of 9:37.87 broke her own record from last season by five seconds to take the crown. Falch provisionally qualifies for the NCAA Championships along with fellow Viking
Kristin Brondbo who finished the 3,000-meter run in 9:42.90.
Joining Falch on top of the podium was
Justin Cook who took the 800-meter run title in 1:52.60 and the Augustana men's 4x400-meter relay team also won in 3:29.00.
Katie Guse placed second overall in the high jump with a best of 1.69 meters and was placed the highest of attached jumpers.
In the mile run,
Emma Anderson earned second place with a time of 5:29.27.
Jason Greenway and
Ryan Heuer took home second place accolades in the 60-meter dash and 60-meter Hurdles. Greenway finished in 6.97 seconds, while Heuer clocked a 8.74 second run.
Kayla Mescher and
Khor Kong received third place finishes in the 400-meter dash with times of 59.03 and 51.60 seconds, respectively.
In the long jump,
Phil Rien notched a third place finish with a 6.54 meter leap.
Head coach
Tracy Hellman was pleased with the overall performance of the Vikings. “This was a great opening meet for both squads,” said the two-time conference coach of the year. “We had some strong performances and this was a good way to enter the holiday break.”
The Vikings are idle until the trip back to Mankato for the Minnesota State Open on Jan. 12.
