Minneapolis, MN -- The track & field teams from North Central University (NCU) participated in the University of Minnesota's Snowshoe Open this afternoon, facing strong competition from NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III programs. Several Rams athletes posted personal records (PRs), season bests (SBs), and school records, showcasing their growth and determination as they prepare for the upcoming UMAC Indoor Championships. Senior Isaac Weiers delivered another impressive performance, clearing 1.96m (1st UMAC) to set a new personal best and climb to #46 in the NCAA Division III rankings. Tom Cao shattered his own school record in the 60m hurdles, finishing in 9.54 seconds, while freshman Catelyn Ketterling etched her name in the record books with a new school record of 8.20 seconds in the 60m dash (2nd UMAC).

Throws:

In the men's shot put, freshman Colton Hagen delivered an impressive performance with a throw of 9.97m, securing a new personal best. Junior Caleb Lundt also competed in the event, marking a best throw of 8.94m.

Jumps:

In the men's high jump, senior Isaac Weiers had another standout performance, clearing 1.96m (1st UMAC), setting a new personal best and moving up the ranks to #46 in all of NCAA Division III. Freshman Hunter Harris also competed in the event, recording a jump of 1.85 meters for a new PR. Senior Nehemiah Juaire and Zak Ruhland both cleared 1.75m in the competition. In the long jump, Harris leaped to a mark of 6.14m, rounding out a strong showing for NCU in the jumping events.

Sprints:

For the men, junior Tom Cao broke his own school record in the 60m hurdles with a time of 9.54 seconds. Nehemiah Juaire ran a season-best 7.43 seconds in the 60m prelims, while freshman Isaiah Hernandez clocked an 8.13. In the 200m dash, Juaire finished in 25.00 seconds, followed by Zak Ruhland (25.53 sec.) and Caleb Lundt (25.94 sec.). Hunter Harris put in a strong performance in the 400m, crossing the finish line at 53.11 seconds (3rd UMAC) for a new personal best.
 
On the women's side, the Rams' freshman sprinters showed out. In her first collegiate meet, freshman Catelyn Ketterling set a new school record in the 60m dash with a time of 8.20 seconds (2nd UMAC). Fellow freshman, Jazzmin Celis, led the team in the 200m with a 28.93, followed closely by freshman Lily Ciske (29.13, SB), and freshman Ari Klein (29.52, PR). In the 400m, Celis clocked a 1:04.71 (PR), while Ciske recorded a 1:05.78 (SB). Senior Savi Rael also competed in the 400m for the first time this season, clocking 1:07.22.

Distance:

In the men's distance events, junior captain Garrett Converse ran a 4:48.0 PR in the mile, while David Bjorge finished with a PR of 5:24.6. Colton Hagen competed in the 800m, running a 2:12.36 personal best, with teammate Leighton Helander finishing in 2:20.15.
 
For the women's team, sophomore Jessica Redman ran a strong season-best of 2:40.61 in the 800m, and Joyce Horton finished the 600m with a time of 1:48.42.

Looking Ahead:

Up next, the Rams will compete at the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) track & field indoor championships beginning on February 28th, hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

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.