Dustin Veurink

It was all about the men’s and women’s field teams at the John Dalton Invitational in Vermillion Feb. 6.

On the men’s side, sophomore Jared Vlastuin placed first in high jump and long jump. His jumps were 6 feet, 4 inches and 23-8 3/4.

Junior Jake Brinkmann and senior Sam McInerney took the top two spots in the weight throw. Their throws were 51-8 1/2 and 51-6 1/4.

The Jackrabbit women swept the top three places in the weight throw. Junior Jennifer Mack won with a throw of 56-6 3/4. Senior Christa Landmark moved to third all-time in school history with a throw of 55-11. Junior Michelle Schuch rounded out the trio with a throw 50-11.

Sophomore Rachael Hakk won the high jump event, with 5 feet 3 inches.

Head coach Rod DeHaven was satisfied with the team’s performance in Vermillion.

“In general, it was an O.K. weekend, but we still need to get things rolling,” DeHaven said. “Hopefully we will start to get things rolling this weekend.”

The Jackrabbits also competed at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational in Lincoln, Neb. Feb. 5 and Feb. 6. Athletes were selected to compete in Vermillion or Lincoln based on which meet provided the best opportunities for the various events.

“We try to determine what will be the best situation for the athlete in terms of their season development,” DeHaven said. “Second, a meet like Nebraska is selective as to who gets into the meet. So that plays a role as well.”

Sophomore Luke Leischner topped his personal best in the 400-meter dash twice in Lincoln. Leischner ran a time of 49.09 seconds on Friday and a time of 48.42 seconds on Saturday, placing second all-time in the 400.

“Every week he looks like he might be able to go faster yet,” DeHaven said.

Junior Ashley Storm stormed her way to fifth all-time in the mile run with a winning time of 4:59.86.

Senior Brittany Garner had a good two days for the Jackrabbits. On Friday, Garner placed 12th in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.23 seconds. Garner cleared 11-5 3/4. On Saturday, Garner placed second in the consolation 200-meter dash with a time of 25.14 seconds.

Junior Jennifer Mack also placed in Lincoln in the weight throw of 52-8. Mack’s throw was good for ninth.

Both track and field teams will be in Ames, Iowa for the Iowa State Classic Feb. 12 to 13.