April 4, 2025
VERMILLION, S.D. – Seven Dakota State (S.D.) men's athletes produced personal records on the first day of the NCAA Division I University of South Dakota Early Bird outdoor track & field meet Friday afternoon at Lillibridge Track Complex. The athletes faced chilly and wet weather at the meet on the campus of USD.
Lane Henrichs highlighted the Trojans in the 3000-meter steeplechase where he posted a personal record time of 9 minutes and 59.28 seconds. He placed sixth in the race, producing the sixth fastest time in DSU men's 3000-meter steeplechase school history.
Blake Schmiedt added a career best time of 10 minutes, 15.31 seconds to place ninth in the 3000-meter steeplechase.
Lucas Harr finished with a time of 12 minutes, 28.23 seconds.
Nolan Slominski clocked a time of 1 minute, 53.75 seconds to place eighth in the 800-meter run for Dakota State.
Curtis Johnson followed up with a time of 1 minute, 57.36 seconds, and
Mohamed Muse in 1:58.39.
Franklin Johns registered a season best time of 2 minutes, .15 seconds.
Aaron Van Hemert recorded a time of 57.08 seconds to finish eighth in the 400-meter hurdles for DSU.
Bryant Paulsen added a time of 1:07.36.
Brock Krueger cleared the high jump mark of 1.81 meters (5 feet, 11.25 inches) to place eighth.
Ben Witt clocked a personal record 23.41 seconds in the 200-meter dash for DSU.
Payton Anderson followed up with a time of 23.57 seconds, and
Brayden Houlette finished with a time of 23.80 seconds.
Four DSU runners produced personal record time in the 1500-meter run, led by
Logan Recoy with a time of 4:12.24 and
Yohannes Kassa in 4:15.34. Johnson finished the race in 4:15.85.
Holden Jelen recorded a personal best time of 4:27.52. Other DSU runners results in the 1500-meters included
Kaiden Akey (4:46.28),
Caden Gortmaker (4:49.92),
Bergen Irey (4:57.61), and
Hunter Dimick (5:04.60 – personal record).
Benjamin Strunk led the Trojans with a time of 16 minutes, 9.02 seconds in the 5000-meter run.
Jonah Thiele registered a career best time of 16:24.85.
Robert Begalka tossed 12.19 meters (40 feet) in the shot put for Dakota State.
Brock Tuttle added 11.95 meters toss (39 feet, 2.5 inches).
Luke Borowicz led DSU with 44.38 meters toss (145 feet, 7 inches) in the hammer throw.
Houston Lunde threw 42.36 meters (138 feet, 11 inches). Other DSU hammer throwers results included
Jack Hemmen (41.23 meters – 135 feet, 3 inches),
Tarin Bingham (40.49 meters – 132 feet, 10 inches),
Kendall Cauley (38.67 meters – 126 feet, 10 inches), and Tuttle (35.01 meters – 114 feet, 10 inches – personal record).
Caleb Sayler closed the first day with a seventh-place finish in the 10,000-meter run for the Trojans. He finished the race in 33 minutes, .28 seconds in his 10,000-meters collegiate debut.
Dakota State continues their action Saturday on the second day of the USD Early Bird meet. The first events are set for 11:30 a.m. at Lillibridge Track Complex.
