January 16, 2026

YANKTON, S.D. – Five Dakota State (S.D.) athletes took part of heptathlon on the first day of the Mount Marty (S.D.) Invitational and Multi's Friday afternoon at Ruth Donohoe Fieldhouse.  They competed in four different events – one running event and three field events.

Talon George kicked off the Trojans with the fastest time in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.26 seconds.  He earned 792 points.  Tysen Grinde recorded a time of 7.42 seconds to tally 739 points.  Miles Eide clocked a time of 7.72 seconds for 643 points, followed by Caden Gortmaker 7.83 seconds for 610 points, and Bergen Irey 7.91 seconds for 586 points.

The second event of the heptathlon was the long jump.  Grinde posted a personal record leap of 6.80 meters (22 feet, 3.75 inches) for 767 points for the Trojans.  His long jump mark is the sixth best in DSU men's indoor track & field history.

George added 600 points after leaping 6.06 meters (19 feet, 10.75 inches), followed by Eide and Gortmaker, each with 546 points with 5.81 meters mark (19 feet, .75 inches).  Irey jumped 5.07 meters (16 feet, 7.75 inches) for 396 points.

George was the second-best shot-put thrower in the field, throwing 12.80 meters (42 feet) for 655 points.  Grinde followed up with 11.49 meters toss (37 feet, 8.5 inches) for 575 points.  Gortmaker registered 10.08 meters throw (33 feet, 1 inch) for 490 points, Eide with 9.02 meters (29 feet, 7.25 inches) for 427 points, and Irey with 8.93 meters toss (29 feet, 3.75 inches) for 422 points.

The final heptathlon event on the first day was the high jump, paced by Grinde after clearing the height of 2.00 meters (6 feet, 6.75 inches) for Dakota State.  He earned 803 points in the event, the best high jumper in the field.  Gortmaker cleared the height of 1.82 meters (5 feet, 11.5 inches) for 644 points, and Irey with 1.70 meters clearance (5 feet, 7 inches) for 544 points.

Eide and George each cleared the high jump of 1.67 meters (5 feet, 5.75 inches) for 520 points.

Grinde racked up 2,884 points after the first day, leading the heptathlon.  He holds a 32-point lead over Alan Lefevre of Iowa Central CC.  George is fifth in the standings with 2,567 points, followed by Gortmaker ninth with 2,290 points, Eide 10^th with 2,136 points, and Irey 11^th with 1,948 points.

The heptathlon continues Saturday at 10 a.m. with the 60-meter hurdles, pole vault, and the 1000-meter run.  Saturday's events also include a full slate of track and field events, starting at 11 a.m. with the weight throw.