Zach Anderson

The SDSU men’s track team competed at the Vance Butler Invitational in Sioux Falls on April 3. Ben Jasinski led the Jacks, placing first and just barely missing a regional standard in the triple jump.

Jasinski’s jump of 48 feet, 8 inches was six-and-a-half inches short of the regional mark.

In the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Greg Vollmer earned a first-place finish when he crossed the finish line in 9 minutes, 28.22 seconds.

Several other Jacks placed high, and head coach Rod DeHaven was impressed.

“We had several event winners. I think we competed a little bit better than we did the previous meet at Mount Marty,” DeHaven said.

The 400-meter dash was huge for the Jacks, as three runners placed in the top four places. Cole Tucker won with a time of 50.34. Fellow Jackrabbits Evan Bunkers and Dustin Gibbons placed third and fourth respectively. Bunkers came in at 51.08 and Gibbons at 51.09.

The Jacks placed first and second in the 800-meter run. Jake Schneller got first in a time of 1:57.77, and Dominic Thielen earned second with a time of 1:58.56.

In the javelin competition, freshman Arran Davis finished first with a throw of 155-08.

SDSU dominated the 110-meter hurdles, taking the top three spots. Andrew Duitsman got first in 14.90, Nick Schanaman in 15.25 and Brandon Priebe in third with a time of 15.49.

Priebe earned a first place in the 400-meter hurdle competition when he clocked in at a time of 54.84.

In the high jump competition, SDSU’s Camden Helder tied for first with Dakota State’s Eric Bauder when they both jumped 6-06.00.

“It was a very good competition. I think Camden was a little disappointed. He can usually jump over 6’6″,” DeHaven said.

The Jackrabbit men will travel to Fargo, N.D., on April 8 to compete at the Bison Invitational.