Men's Track and Field Team Continues To Improve As Athletes Bounce Back
Mahoney thought there was a good mix of veterans getting healthy and young guys starting to figure things out in the men's track and field competition. This was the case in the throws, with Tyler Summers (SR/Hastings, NE) and Phillip Quackenbush (SR/Kenesaw, NE) coming off illness.
"Tyler still looked a little off after being sick but still managed a B-standard mark in the weight throw, placing sixth. Phil looked like he was making progress in the weight throw as well after recovering from Covid."
Justin Villars (SR/Minden, NE) also hit an auto qualifying mark in the weight throw, throwing 17.75m. Villars won the shot as well, throwing 15.80m.
In jumps, Lane Knisley (SR/North Platte, NE) placed third and tied his personal best in the vault, vaulting 4.35m. An impressive feat in his first competition of the season after battling a wrist injury. Cole Schmidt (SR/Hartington, NE), was also able to bounce back, winning the long jump with a jump of 6.78m while still recovering from a hamstring injury.
Veteran hurdler Paul Plowcha (SR/Papillion, NE) ran another automatic qualifying time of 8.20 in the 60m hurdles, placing second.
"Paul was a little sore but managed a solid time in the finals of the hurdles and seems to be putting things together, but I know he still has bigger races in him."
Mahoney is also excited about the improvements being made within the sprint and distance squads as well.
"The sprint squad is pretty young but I see guys like Wyatt Harland (FR/Ulysses, KS) starting to figure technique out and make improvements each week, under the leadership of hardworking veterans like Brian Clausen (JR/Papillion, NE). Zach Hole (SR/Wichita, KS) and Tatum Jellenburg have also made huge improvements in the distance races and have moved from midpack runners to guys battling for wins."
In the 200m, Harland placed 10th with a time of 23.63. While in the 400m, Clausen placed sixth, running a time of 52.08.
In the 5k, Gellenburg placed third, running 16:16. He was followed closely by Hole in fifth.
All around, Mahoney is not only hopeful, but expectant of big things from his athletes moving toward the second half of indoor season.
"At this point we are about halfway into the indoor season. Athletes are turning their focus toward the GPAC and NAIA performance lists to position themselves to qualify for conference and nationals. Each practice and meet becomes more important as we head into the final weeks of indoor season."
