Mankato, MN -- This Friday and Saturday, North Central University (NCU) men's and women's track and field traveled to Mankato for the Mark Schuck Open and Multi hosted by Minnesota State Mankato. The meet was highlighted by freshman Joyce Horton breaking her own school record in the women's high jump with 1.46, junior Garrett Converse setting a new school record in the men's 600-meter with a time of 1:30.83, and junior Tom Cao setting a school record in the men's 60m hurdles with a time of 10.48 seconds. The Rams also posted a total of 6 personal bests and 4 season bests.

Throws:

In the men's shot put, freshman Colton Hagen and junior Caleb Lundt both set new personal bests. Hagen threw 9.17m and Lundt finished right behind his teammate with a throw of 7.87m. Andre Muteba also set a new career-best in the weight throw with a mark of 10.03m.

Jumps:

Freshman Joyce Horton had another strong performance, setting a new personal best and breaking her own school record in the high jump with a jump of 1.46m (3rd UMAC). Fellow freshman, Lily Ciske also set a new PR in high jump with a mark of 1.41m (4th UMAC). In the long jump, Ari Klein jumped 4.21m to start off her career.

Men's jumps were highlighted by senior Isaac Weiers jumping 1.88m (2nd UMAC) in the high jump to take 9th place overall, the highest individual finish at the meet for the Rams. Also in the high jump, freshman Hunter Harris took 16th place with a mark of 1.83m (3rd UMAC), sophomore Zak Ruhland took 17th with 1.78m (t-5th UMAC), and senior Nehemiah Juaire placed 20th with 1.78m (t-5th UMAC). In the long jump, Hunter Harris set a new PR with a jump of 6.37m (3rd UMAC) to place 12th overall. 

Sprints:

Jazzmin Celis led the Rams in the 60-meter dash with a time of 8.82 seconds (5th UMAC) and set a new personal best in the 200-meter dash with a time of 28.84 seconds (4th UMAC). Lily Ciske and Ari Klein also recorded personal bests with times of 29.26 and 30.84, respectively. Celis also led the Rams in the women's 300m and 400m with times of 46.10 and 1:05.79 (5th UMAC) in her first time competing in the events. Joyce Horton led the way in the women's 60m hurdles with a time of 10.30 seconds (4th UMAC).

Junior Tom Cao set a new school record in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 10.48 seconds. Hunter Harris led NCU in the 200m and 400m, recording times of 24.06 and 53.71 seconds (3rd UMAC). Nehemiah Juaire ran a season-best 7.56 seconds in the 60-meter dash. 

Distance:

In the women's 600-meter race, Jessica Redman and Avah Kraushaar finished back-to-back with times of 1:56.16 and 2:01.39, respectively.

In the men's 600-meter run, Garrett Converse set a new school record with a time of 1:30.83. Freshman Leighton Helander led the team in the mile with a personal best of 5:03.84 and 3000-meter run of 10:30.66. 

Relays:

The women's 4x400 meter relay team made up of Avah Kraushaar, Jessica Redman, Jazzmin Celis, and Lily Ciske finished 5th with 4:38.73 to start the year. 

The men's 4x400 meter relay team comprised of Garrett Converse, Colton Hagen, Isaiah Hernandez, and Isaac Weiers finished in 7th place with a time of 4:03.05.  


Looking ahead:

Up next, track and field will be competing at the SJU/CSB Invite hosted by Saint John's University on Saturday, February 15th. The meet will kick off at 11:00am from Collegeville, MN.

All fans are encouraged to tune into the official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (X) pages for updates on track and field and all things NCU Athletics.