Michael Pecha

The SDSU men’s and women’s track and field teams both finished fourth at the North Central Conference indoor track meet Feb. 28 and Mar. 1 in Vermillion, SD.

“The teams performed the best they had all season at the NCC championships,” head coach Paul Danger said. “We had seven individual champions, one new NCC meet record, and many personal best performances.”

Dave Hegland set the NCC meet record in the 60 meter hurdles, winning the event in 8.09 seconds.

“Dave’s race really helped get the men’s team off on the right foot,” Danger said. “The hurdles is the first final of the day and I really like having that momentum immediately.”

Brad Lowery, Matt Pearson and Greg Darbyshire went one-two-three in the mile run. They finished with times of 4:11.53, 4:11.87, and 4:13.44.

“Brad is undefeated in the NCC indoor mile, winning last year as a true freshman,” Danger said. “With our finish in that race, we pulled in needed points.”

All three of these athletes came back in different events later on in the meet.

Pearson won the 1,000 meter run in 2:28.24.

Darbyshire and Lowery finished first and second, respectively, with times of 8:28.5 and 8:43.74.

Darbyshire’s time was within one second of the conference meet record.

“Greg is really running well going into the NCAA championships,” Danger said.

Joel Teachout took fourth in the 5,000 meter run with a time of 15:25.91.

Ben Fast rounded out the top finishes for the men with his fifth-place finish in the weight throw. Fast tossed the weight 51 feet 1 inch.

On the women’s side, Josey Meuer set a school record in the 200 meter dash at 25.55 seconds. She finished fourth.

Heather Hall finished second in the 400 meter dash in 57.68 seconds.

“These two women are going to be huge assets to our team during the outdoor season,” Danger said.

Cori Vining won the 60 meter hurdles in 8.71 seconds.

“Cori provided the same effect on the women’s team that Dave Hegland had on the men’s team in the 60 hurdles,” Danger said. “With those two races, I knew we were going to have a great day.”

Erin Woolley finished first in the 3,000 with a time of 10:09.39. She came back in the mile and finished second in 5 minutes 2.54 seconds.

“Woolley is a rock solid runner and always comes through for the team,” Danger said.

Kaylee Keating finished fifth in the 3,000 with a time of 10:46.15.

Sheena Dauer won the 5,000 meter run in 17:25.47.

“Sheena ran to a personal best and her first NCC indoor title,” Danger said. “She missed the NCC record by two seconds, but secured the needed qualifying time for the NCAA indoor championships.

Jamie Keck rounded out the top women’s finishes, taking fourth in the triple jump with her leap of 38 feet 6.25 inches.

“This year has really been terrific for SDSU track and field,” Danger said. “We performed well at the NCC championships, put 16 different people on the NCAA qualifying lists, and will finish by taking nine athletes to the National Championships. I am very proud of our teams and look forward to the National Championships.”