FARGO, N.D. -- The Augustana track & field teams made a mark at the Bison Open on Friday. There were a total of seven provisional marks and eight first-place finishes with several other season and personal bests.  

The Men

Augustana had a season-best day from start to finish. The mile-men placed one through four with the top two times run by junior Evan Johnson and senior Austin Miller, finishing in NCAA Provisional Qualifying times of 4:12.84 and 4:13.10. Taking third and fourth in the race were junior Matt Steiger and sophomore Colten Brand in 4:15.38 and 4:15.51, respectively. 

The Vikings' times currently hold down the top four spots in the conference. 

Johnson doubled back in the 1,000m running 2:29.22. Two additional Vikings in senior Tiegen Lindner and sophomore Jonah Breuer, took the second and third spots running 2:30.00 and 2:31.60, respectively. The trio's times are currently the first through third spots in the conference. 

Provisional showings were also found in the 3,000m where senior Alec Kray ran away from the competition clocking an 8:12.89. Also hitting the provisional mark was teammate junior Henry Klitzke who placed third in 8:24.14. The duo's times are best and third in the conference. 

Also having a day was freshman Melik Davis claiming 5th in the 60m in a time of 7.07 which currently sits him fifth in the conference.

Junior Noah Melton ran a season best 1:56.43 in the 800m that was good for second place, holding the top spot in the NSIC. 

In the 60m hurdles, sophomore Lawrence Lokonobei ran a time of 8.17 to win the race, also best in the NSIC.

The Women

Sophomore Elizabeth Schaefer kicked off the meet with the pentathlon events, placing second with 3,842 points. She hit the provisional mark and currently ranks No. six in the nation in the event. 

Augustana had a strong showing in the mile with sophomore Patty Jo English and junior Nicolette Schmidt running provisional times in 4:57.62 and 4:57.65, respectively. The two times sit atop the conference. 

The Vikings also swept the top-five spots in the 3,000m with junior Rebekah Rairdon taking the top spot in a time of 10:11.68. The top five were all within two seconds of Rairdon's winning time, and sweep the top five spots in the NSIC. 

Also having top marks in the conference were senior Kali Ryan in the 800m, running a 2:19.26 that places her third in the NSIC. The women's 1,000m was a strong event for the Vikings with six in the top seven spots. Junior Callin Naddy claimed the victory in a time of 2:55.87 with senior Meagan Schenk taking the second spot in 2:56.17. The two times are good for the top two times in the conference. 

One Last Thing

The trio heptathletes in junior Tyl Woelber, freshman Muse Abdi and freshman Jonathan Sikel will complete the final events Saturday morning. Woelber currently leads the Vikings with 3,138 points, and the freshman duo hold 2,598 points and 2,378 points, respectively. 

--GoAugie.com--