MANKATO, Minn. – The Augustana track & field teams showed out at the Minnesota State Open & Multi in Mankato, Minnesota, on Saturday.

In total, the Vikings had seven NCAA Provisional qualifying marks, along with a school record and numerous performances cracking Augustana's Top-10 lists. 

"It was another outstanding performance by our teams," director of track & field/cross country Tracy Hellman said. "We are racing at a very-high level already this early in the season. I'm excited for Lokonobei to get that record and am looking forward to more exciting things with the team."

Lawrence Lokonobei broke the school and facility record in the 110m hurdles running 14.33. Lokonobei had a day on the track cutting over four-tenths of a second off his personal best to move him from No. 9 on Augustana's Top-10 list to the new school-record holder. Additionally, his time was well under the NCAA Provisional qualifying time, ranking him 19th in the nation.

In the women's high jump, Mearah Miedema broke the meet record clearing 5-9.25, surpassing the NCAA Provisional qualifying mark and ranking her third in the nation.

Austin Miller broke the meet record in the 800m running practically identical splits coming through the first 400m in 54.5 and closing in 54.7 for a 1:49.26.

Miller's time jumps him one spot on the all-time list now at No. 4 and was an NCAA Provisional qualifying time currently ranking him fourth in the nation.

Ryan Hartman made his outdoor debut in the 3,000m steeplechase with a solo effort of 9:03.72, closing in 1:09.69 to lower his time as No. 7 on Augustana's all-time list. His time is under the NCAA Provisional qualifying time and currently ranks him 10th in the nation.

In the women's 3,000m steeplechase, Rebekah Rairdon made her outdoor debut winning the event in an NCAA Provisional qualifying time of 10:52.13, currently ranking eighth in the nation.

Patty Jo English and Nicolette Schmidt turned out NCAA Provisional qualifying times in the women's metric mile, both running close to their personal bests in the event. English won the event running 4:27.98 while Schmidt was close behind finishing second in 4:30.97. The two rank 10th and 18th in the nation, respectively.

Numerous other Vikings made their way into Augustana's Top-10 list with the men's 4x100m relay team of Lokonobei, Melik Davis, Connor Clayton and Gavin Fischer blazing the track in 41.71 to break the meet record along with moving to No. 3 on Augustana's Top-10 list.

In the women's long jump, the freshmen duo of Kylee Sallee and Jayda Becker made their way into the record books with Sallee jumping 18-07.75 on her fourth attempt. She broke the meet record as well as bettering her mark in the No. 5 slot on Augustana's Top-10 list. Becker jumped 18-01.75 on her second attempt to move to No. 9 on the all-time list, taking fifth in the event.

Janae Becher improved on her No. 4 all-time mark in the hammer with her heave of 129-07.

The Vikings had multiple other performances within the top-three places in respective events.

Freshman Gavin Fischer continued his success in the 100m, running the fastest preliminary time at 10.84, returning to win the final in 10.86.

Tyl Woelber placed second in the javelin throw with a season's best throw of 194-00 on his first attempt. His mark broke the previous meet record.

The Vikings had a strong showing from the freshmen class in the 5,000m with Aubrey Surage and Ella Bakken going 1-2 for the women in 17:52.71 and 17:53.87, respectively. On the men's side, Daniel Street was half a second shy of his first collegiate win, placing second in 14:59.66. Evan Myran was close behind, placing third in 15:05.63.

The women's 4x100m relay team of Grayce Adler, Ella Heinitz, Maia Peterson and Nyanas Kur were just shy of first place running 48.70.

Rachel Rairdon and Claire Boersma took third and fourth in the 3,000m steeplechase running 11:09.94 and 11:13.93, respectively.

In addition to the aforementioned English and Schmidt, the Vikings had a strong showing in the 1,500m taking places four through six. Megan Means placed fourth (4:37.45) Mia Salas took fifth (4:39.52) and Taylor Melton claimed sixth (4:40.18).

Matt Steiger and Colten Brand opened their outdoor seasons in the men's 1,500m taking fifth (3:56.14) and seventh (3:56.54), respectively.

Evan Johnson and Jonah Breuer ran personal bests in the 800m in their outdoor debut with Johnson taking second in 1:52.63 and Breuer placing seventh in 1:53.73.

Andrew Martens improved on last week's 400m hurdles, taking second in 55.38.

Jed Dooyema ran a season's best time of 50.10 in the 400m to take third.

The Vikings ran their first men's 4x400m relay of the season, running 3:25.51. The relay team of Dooyema, Matthew Schoessow, Josh Schumacher and Luke Fritsch placed fourth overall.

Up Next

The Vikings have a busy week in store heading west for the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California, and Mt. Sac Relays in Walnut, California. The Bryan Clay Invitational will take place Wednesday through Friday while the Mt. Sac Relays take place Thursday through Saturday. 

–GoAugie.com–