The Dordt University men's track and field team won seven events at their outdoor season debut, the Wildcat Classic, held this weekend in Wayne, Neb.
Less than a month after a third place finish at the 2023 NAIA Indoor Championships, the Defenders continued to turn in outstanding performances in their outdoor season debut, even in the cold and somewhat blustery conditions.
Dordt athletes claimed titles in five individual events (3 running, 2 field) and both relays (4x100 and 4x400). In addition, six Defenders turned in personal best times / marks on the day.
Grant Brouwer took first place in the high jump, winning the event in a tie break (less misses) against Jaiden Peraza (Valley City State). Brouwer, who earned All-American honors at the NAIA Indoor Championships earlier this month, cleared 2.0m (6-6.75), the sixth best mark in program history.
Competing in one of the two events held on Friday,
Jon De Haan easily took first place in the javelin. De Haan's best mark came on his second toss (53.17m), the fourth best mark in program history and over 20-feet further than the second place mark.
Payton Mauldin claimed the first place prize in the 400m, crossing the finish line in 49.14 seconds, less than a second away from the 'B' standard.
Peyton Miller earned a close victory in the 400m hurdles with a time of 55.57, the seventh fastest time in program history. Miller took over the lead during the final 200m and edged out Clay Kummer from Valley City State at the finish line.
The Defenders 4x100 relay won the first race on the track today, claiming the title with a time of 42.27, the fifth best in program history and less than a half-second off the 'B' standard time. Relay members include
Levi Schelhaas,
Logan Franken,
Ryan Schober and
Kyle Baumert.
Dordt also claimed the title in the 4x400 relay, the final race of the day. The Defenders team of De Haan, Miller, Mauldin and
Jonathan Eisma crossed the finish line with a time of 3:27.38, nearly three seconds faster than second place Morningside.
Dordt athletes recorded 22 top10 finishes and six personal best times / marks (all listed below):
Defender Champions:
Personal Best Times / Marks:
Defenders In the Top 10:
- Javelin:
- Jon De Haan - 1st: 53.17m / 174-05.5
- 4th best mark in program history
- High Jump:
- Grant Brouwer - 1st: 2.0m / 6'6".75
- 6th best mark in program history
- Triple Jump:
- Pole Vault:
- Long Jump:
- 100m:
- Logan Franken - 4th: 10.95
- 3rd fastest time in program history
- .35 seconds away from 'B' standard
- Ryan Schober - 9th: 11.08
- 8th fastest time in program history
- 110m Hurdles:
- 200m:
- 400m:
- 400m Hurdles:
- 1500m:
- 5000m:
- 4x100 Relay: 1st - 42.27
- 5th fastest in program history
- half second off 'B' standard
- Schelhaas, Franken, Schober, Baumert
- 4x400 Relay: 1st - 3:27.38
- De Haan, Miller, Eisma, Mauldin
