St. Paul, MN -- Saturday, the men's and women's Track & Field teams from North Central University (NCU) competed in the Bethel Invite, facing strong competition from 20+ schools comprised of NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III programs. Today's meet was highlighted by 7 Rams punching their ticket to the NCCAA Nationals in various events and 4 more NCU program records going down. The Rams also posted a total of 14 personal bests and 3 season bests.

NCCAA National Championship Qualifiers
Joyce Horton - Triple Jump, 100m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles
Zak Ruhland - Javelin, 4x100 Meter Relay
Tom Cao - Pole Vault, 4x100 Meter Relay
Isaac Weiers - High Jump
Hunter Harris - 400 Meter Dash
Jaquan Adams - 4x100 Meter Relay
Nehemiah Juaire - 4x100 Meter Relay

Sprints:

Freshman Catelyn Ketterling ran a strong 13.22 seconds in the 100m dash, while sophomore Brycelyn Brewster clocked a personal best 27.10 in the 200m (5th in UMAC). Freshman Lily Ciske added a 28.11 in the same event, and senior Savi Rael rounded out the group with a 29.72, setting a new season best. Joyce Horton set a new program record in the 100m hurdles with a time of 16.88 seconds (3rd in UMAC) and 18th place in the 400m hurdles in 1:11.61 (2nd in UMAC). 

Junior Jaquan Adams had a breakout day, setting a personal best (PR) of 22.90 seconds in the 200m dash, good for 20th overall (6th in UMAC). Freshman Hunter Harris followed closely in 23.16 seconds, with Josh Hinson (23.48), Isaiah Hernandez (25.02), and Connor Yslas (25.29) rounding out the effort. Adams also ran 11.55 seconds in the 100m, while senior Nehemiah Juaire recorded a time of 11.89 seconds. In the 400m, Harris and Hinson each posted personal bests with times of 51.13 (4th in UMAC) and 52.77 (6th in UMAC), respectively.

Distance:

Savi Rael and Brycelyn Brewster ran neck and neck in the 800m, finishing in 2:27.33 and 2:27.81. Sophomore Avah Kraushaar added a time of 2:48.08. Sophomore Jessica Redman recorded a time of 13:35.53 in the 3000m steeplechase.

Junior Garrett Converse posted a time of 10:47.75 in the 3000m steeplechase (4th in UMAC), with freshman Leighton Helander following in 11:49.21. In the 800m, freshman Colton Hagen ran a PR of 2:11.68, with Converse right behind at 2:11.96. Sophomore David Bjorge hit a new PR in the 5000m with a time of 18:01.34.

Throws:

Catelyn Ketterling threw a personal best of 18.55m in the javelin, finishing 27th overall. Sophomore Avah Kraushaar wasn't far behind with a season-best of 18.19m.

Freshman Zak Ruhland led the Rams in the javelin with a personal best of 44.95m (4th in UMAC), placing 6th overall at the meet and setting a new program record. Junior Caleb Lundt followed in 10th place with a throw of 41.72m (5th in UMAC). Colton Hagen (35.49m), Nehemiah Juaire (33.32m), Connor Yslas (22.37m), Leighton Helander (18.47m), and junior Garrett Converse (22.64m, PR) rounded out the deep NCU javelin group. Freshman Andre Muteba recorded a personal best in the hammer throw at 37.09m (6th in UMAC) and also competed in the shot put with a throw of 9.24m.

Jumps:

Freshman Joyce Horton placed 4th in the triple jump with a personal best of 10.61m (1st in UMAC). Fellow freshman Lily Ciske added a 9.76m mark in the same event (6th in UMAC).

Senior Isaac Weiers had a strong showing in the high jump, clearing 1.85m for 9th place (t-3rd in UMAC). Senior Nehemiah Juaire followed at 1.75m, while sophomore Zak Ruhland cleared a personal best of 1.80m. In the long jump, freshman Colton Hagen recorded a leap of 4.84m. Junior Tom Cao cleared a personal best of 3.95m in the pole vault, earning him 15th place overall (4th in UMAC). He continues to improve as he breaks his own record in the outdoor pole vault. 

Relays:

The men's 4x100m relay team of Jaquan Adams, Nehemiah Juaire, Zak Ruhland, and Hunter Harris combined for a time of 43.90 seconds (3rd in UMAC), placing 9th overall in a competitive field and breaking the NCU record in the event. 

Looking Ahead:

Coming up, the Rams will take part in the Gustie Twilight on Wednesday, April 16th, hosted by Gustavus Adolphus College.

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.