PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Augustana track & field teams posted outstanding marks on the second day of the Gorilla Classic in Pittsburg, Kansas, and the SDSU Classic in Brookings, South Dakota, on Saturday night.

"We had a fantastic finish to the second day of this remarkable weekend," director of track & field/cross country Tracy Hellman said. "We knew this weekend would be the time of year when big things happen and our kids certainly stepped up to the challenge.

"Down in Pittsburg, Kansas, Miller broke one of the most storied records we have in the mile, not to be outdone by Hartman who also broke the record placing third."

The mile trio of Austin Miller, Ryan Hartman and Evan Johnson, who returned from last night's No. 4 all-time Division II performance in the distance medley relay, continued to light up the track.

Miller won the mile in a scorching 4:02.40 to break the school record by over three seconds along with setting the meet record. Hartman also ran under Augustana's previous school record, placing third in the race in 4:04.51. The two times are eighth and 11th in the nation.

The previous school records of 4:05.68 was held by Matt Kiesow and stood for 31 years.

Johnson placed sixth in the race in a new personal-best time of 4:08.65 to move him up to No. 4 on Augustana's Top-10 list.

Cami Streff, who was a part of the distance medley relay that ran the No. 1 time in the country at the Mines Open on Feb. 4, ran the open 800m at the SDSU Classic. 

She blazed the track in a new school record time of 2:09.61, the time also broke the meet record and ranks her fourth in Division II this season.

"Streff had a tremendous day in winning the 800m, setting a school and meet record in the process," Hellman added. 

Sophomore Caroline Sudbeck was also in the race, placing fourth in a new personal-best 2:12.49 ranking her fifth on the Top-10 list.

Jonah Breuer eclipsed the 1:54 mark in the men's 800m running 1:53.98 to place fourth overall.

Lawrence Lokonobei continued to chip away at his season's best time in the 60m hurdles, running 8.12 to win the event. His time holds steady at No. 2 in the NSIC this year.

Nicolette Schmidt placed third in the mile, improving on her season's best, running under the NCAA Provisional Qualifying time, clocking in at 4:56.29.

Meagan Schenk was close behind but just outside of the provisional qualifier, running 4:58.82.

Schmidt returned in the 1,000m placing second in 2:53.29 to move to No. 2 on Augustana's all-time list, just shy of Emma Anderson's school record time of 2:53.06 set back in 2016.

In the men's mile, Colten Brand improved on his personal-best time placing sixth in 4:09.75, making the fourth Viking of the day to run under the NCAA Provisional Qualifying time.

Matt Steiger placed eighth in the race in a new personal-best time of 4:13.19.

Freshman Ella Heinitz placed 11th in the open 400m running a personal best 58.58, to move her to No. 8 on Augustana's Top-10 list.

Gavin Fischer made his 400m debut placing 14th running 50.47.

Freshman Maia Peterson ran a season's best in the 600m placing fifth in 1:37.83.

Noah Melton ran a new season's best time of 1:21.28 in the 600m to claim fourth place.

Kylee Sallee placed second in the women's long jump with a leap of 17-08 on her second attempt.

Mearah Miedema had a season-best jump of 5-5 in the high jump to tie for second.

Janae Becher continued her climb up Augustana's all-time list with a new personal-best throw of 45-06.25 in the weight throw. Her heave moves her to third on the all-time list.

Kaly Banks had a runner-up finish in the women's triple jump on her sixth attempt jumping 37-05.25.

The women's 4x400m relay of Heinitz, Streff, Noa Marteau and Peterson placed second, running 3:55.40.

"Overall we are starting to come together and peak at the right time," Hellman added. "The coaching staff is very excited to see our teams compete again next week."

Up Next

The Vikings will compete in the SDSU Last Chance Meet on Saturday before competing in the NSIC Indoor Championships Feb. 25-26.

–GoAugie.com–