Michael Pecha

The SDSU distance runners struggled this weekend at the Husky Open in St. Cloud, but the sprinters and throwers showed what they were made of with several top finishes and one school record.

Ben Fast placed fourth in the shot put with his throw of 47 feet 6 1/2 inches, but made his mark in the weight throw. Fast threw the 35 pound weight 54 feet 5 1/2 inches, breaking the school record by almost three feet.

“This was a great meet for Ben,” head coach Paul Danger said. “Not only did he set the school record, but his throw was a NCAA provisional qualifying mark. Ben is our lone football player on the team, and has always competed very well for us.”

Danger said that he thinks Fast will have a good chance of going to nationals if he can add another two feet to his throws.

Other key competitors for the men were David Hegland and Ben Johnson who finished second and third, respectively, in the 60 meter hurdles with times of 8.20 seconds and 8.36. Hegland is ranked eighth in Division II in the 60 hurdles.

Scott Roby finished third in the 1000 meter run in 2:34.

Josey Meuer and Taunja Disher led the lady Jacks with one-two finishes in the 60 meter dash and the 200 meter dash. Meuer won the 60 in 7.91 seconds, and the 200 in 25.55. Disher ran 8.04 and 27.18.

Heather Hall finished second in the 400 meter dash at 58.09.

Cori Vining won the 60 meter hurdles in 8.5 seconds. She is ranked third in D-II in the event.

She was followed closely by Jennifer Stovall, who finished in 8.93 seconds. She also finished second in the long jump with her jump of 17-10 1/2.

Megan Poppens won the mile with her time of 5:29.

Erin Woolley finished second in the 3,000 meter run at 10:14. She is currently ranked third in the nation in the 5,000 meter run. Sheena Dauer, who did not run, is ranked sixth.

Jamie Keck continued to dominate the triple jump competition, winning with a leap of 38-2 3/4. She ranks eighth nationally.

Krystie Ratzlaff finished second in the 1,000 meter run at 3:04. Fellow distance runner Kaylee Keating finished third in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:29.

Erin Delay finished second in the shot put with a toss of 39-9 1/4, and third in the weight throw at 38 9 3/4.

Jessica Meyer was close behind in fourth, with a throw of 38 6 3/4.

Pole Vaulter Teresa Kremer received complements from Danger after her seventh-place finish.

“Teresa did a nice job,” Danger said. “She narrowly missed the NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 11 feet 1/4 inches, but her attempt at it was great. She should get on the national list this weekend if all goes well.”

Jackrabbit standouts Brad Lowery, Matt Pearson and Greg Darbyshire did not run at the Husky Open. All three set qualifying times two weekends ago at meets in Minneapolis, Minn. and Lincoln, Neb.

“We had some outstanding performances from both teams at the U of M,” head coach Paul Danger said. “I think it is great to see when athletes step forward against outstanding competition and succeed.”

Lowery is currently ranked first in D-II in the mile. He succeeded in running an automatic qualifying time for the NCAA championships by winning the mile run in 4:07.94. Pearson is ranked third and clocked in at 4:08.85.

Darbyshire ran the third fastest time this year in D-II the 5,000 meter run at the University of Nebraska Invite, Jan. 24.

“I really like how motivated he is right now,” Danger said of Darbyshire. “I know he can run even faster.”

Hegland ran a provisional qualifying time in the 60 meter hurdles: 8.2 seconds.

On the women’s side, Stovall won the long jump with her leap of 17 feel 6 and three quarters inches. Keck took third in the event at 16 feet 5 and three quarters inches. She also turned in another convincing triple jump performance, finishing second at 38 feet 10 and a half inches.

“Jamie continues to improve each meet,” Danger said. “Her jump moved her up very well on the NCAA list national list.”

Vining rounded out the top finishers for the Jackrabbits, finishing third in the 60 meter hurdles in 8.88 seconds.

Woolley and Dauer also ran personal bests in the 5,000 meter run. They finished third and fourth, respectively, with times of 17:20 and 17:33.

Danger said that both teams continue to improve each week.

“They train hard…I am always proud of the way our teams compete, both in the field events and the running races.”

The Jackrabbits travel to Fargo this weekend to take part in the Bison Open.