Kirk Danielson

The SDSU track and field teams had strong running and throwing performances at the Jim Duncan Invitational April 14, Kansas Relays April 19-21 and the Sioux City Relays April 20-21. A number of Jackrabbits secured high finishes, and a few had first-place finishes.

The Jacks’ women’s track and field team have put up some impressive performances. At the Kansas Relays, senior Becka Mansheim posted a first-place finish in the 1500-meter run. Mansheim finished with a time of 4:33.06.

At the Sioux City Relays, Cameryn Christion placed second in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.25. Savanna Linderman placed ninth in the same event with a time of 13.13.

In the pole vault, Kristi Mortenson placed third with a vault of 11 feet.

Rounding out the weekend’s top-five finishers, Tamiko Kopfmann placed third in the long jump with a jump of 17 feet.

On the men’s side, Chris Gruenhagen set a new meet record at the Jim Duncan Invitational by finishing the 3000-meter run with a time of 8:26.59. In the same event, SDSU freshman Marshall Kambestad placed fourth with a time of 8:36.79.

Cameron Johnson and Matt Olsen swept the long jumps. Johnson finished first in the long jump with a jump of 22-3 1/2. Olsen also captured first place in the triple jump with a jump of 47-10 1/2.

Sam McInerney had a solid, constant day in his throwing events. McInerney earned a fifth-place finish in the discus (131-07), javelin (144-3) and shot put (45-7 3/4). McInerney continued his fifth-place finishes at the Sioux City Relays, where he finished fifth in the shot put with a toss of 48-6 1/2.

Coach Rod DeHaven is expecting big things from his team for the remainder of the season.

“We hope to capitalize on some of the energy from last week. We keep building momentum, as we head toward the Independent Championships in Davis, Calif.,” DeHaven said.

The SDSU track team travels to Des Moines, Iowa, on April 26-28 to compete in the Drake Relays.