1/24/2010 3:00 pm

Sioux Falls, SD - The University of Sioux Falls men’s and women’s track and field team had an outstanding day at the Nebraska Wesleyan University Invitational held at the Bob Devaney Sports Complex on the campus of the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. The Devaney center is the site of the 2010 Great Plains Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships which gave the Cougars good experience for the meet. USF stacked up well against the GPAC schools that competed.

Sophomore Kayla Friesen (Alliance, Neb.) had a monster vault of 12 feet, 7.5 inches to win the event and better her own school record by seven inches that she set last week. The vault will likely rank her No. 1 in the nation in the event. Sophomore Kristin Killough (Holdrege, Neb.) gave USF a strong 1-2 punch, finishing runner-up to Friesen in the pole vault.

Freshman Kendra Knight (Mitchell, S.D.) won the open 400 meter race in a time of 58.68, which is one of the top times in the NAIA. Knight then anchored the winning 4x400 relay team to a season best of 4:01.01. Sophomore Becca Bedard (Rapid City, S.D.), freshman Leah Wensmann (Aberdeen, S.D.) and freshman Brigitte Gross (Alexandria, S.D.) were also on the winning relay.

Also winning her event was sophomore Sarah Gilbert (Papillion, Neb.) in the triple jump with a mark of 36 feet, 5.5 inches, a provisional qualifying jump for the national meet. Freshman Dani Moyer (Fremont, Neb.) qualified for the finals of the 60 meter dash, and against NCAA Division I competition finished 8th with a time of 8.23 seconds.

Middle distance sophomore runner Brandon Tullock (Omaha, Neb.) was the sole event winner for the men as he won in a tight 800 meter race, crossing the finish line in 1:58.98. The men’s 4x400 team composed of freshman Kyle Tibke (Del Rapids, S.D), freshman Tommoy Torok (Sioux Falls, S.D.), junior Alex Zuke (Brandon, S.D.) and sophomore Brady Velgersdyk (Sioux Falls, S.D.) nearly took the victory in the relay, but still qualified for the national meet with a time of 3 minutes, 21.76 seconds to earn runner-up honors. Sophomore Andrew Ellsworth (Norfolk, Neb.) broke the school record in the pole vault, hitting 15 foot, 7 inches.

The following day USF sent a few athletes to compete at the University of South Dakota. Sophomore Brian Schenavar (Thompson Falls, MT) and senior Chad Aurich (Mayer, MN) almost matched the school record in the pole vault as they had marks of 15 feet, 5 inches. Sophomore Shelly Jacobs (Fremont, Neb.) joined the long list of provisional qualifiers in the pole vault with a mark of 11 feet. Junior Jon Ryan (Watertown, S.D.) had a provisional long jump of 22 feet, 8.50 feet and tied the school record in the triple jump with a 45 foot, 9 inch leap.

Both teams will be back in action at the Minnesota State University Open on Saturday, January 30.

USF Provisional and Automatic Qualifying Marks for the NAIA National Meet (Through 1/25/2010)

Men

Jon Ryan- Long jump 22’9.75 (provisional) and triple jump 45’9 (provisional)

Colin Koth- 400m 49.73 (provisional)

Brady Velgersdyk- 600m 1:22.36 (provisional)

Andrew Ellsworth- pole vault 15’7 (automatic)

Brian Schenavar- pole vault 15’5 (automatic)

Chad Aurich- pole vault 15’5 (automatic)

Caleb Coffee- pole vault 15’1” (provisional)

4 x 400m- 3:21.76 (automatic)

Women

Kendra Knight- 600m 1:37.99 (automatic) and 400m 58.68 (automatic)

Macie Cottier- Shot put 41’3.75” (provisional)

Krissy Aesoph- 60m 7.93 (provisional)

Sarah Gilbert- Long jump 17’9.75” (provisional), high jump 5’3.75”
(provisional), triple jump 36’5.5”

Kayla Friesen- pole vault 12’7.50” (automatic)

Kristin Killough- pole vault 12’ (automatic)

Brigitte Gross- pole vault 11’5.75” (automatic) and 60m hurdles 9.30 (provisional)

Shelly Jacobs- pole vault 11’ (provisional)

4 x 400m- 4:01.01 (automatic)

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