Michael Pecha

The SDSU men’s and women’s track and field teams traveled to Minneapolis this past weekend claiming two victories and a handful of NCAA qualifying times.

“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 athletesstep forward against outstanding competition and succeed.”

Brad Lowery succeeded in running an automatic qualifying time for theNCAA championships by winning the mile run in 4:07.94. Matt Pearson wasclose behind at 4:08.85.

Danger said that the University of Iowa coach was impressed with theperformances by Lowery and Pearson.

Danger said that the coaches direct quote was, “how do your guys dowhat they do? They (Lowery and Pearson) really handed it to us today.”

David Hegland ran a provisional qualifying time in the 60 meterhurdles, with a time of 8.2 seconds.

On the women’s side, Jennifer Stovall won the long jump with her leapof 17 feel 6 and three quarters inches. Jamie Keck took third in theevent at 16 feet 5 and three quarters inches.

Keck turned in another convincing triple jump performance, finishingsecond at 38 feet 10 and a half inches.

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

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

Greg Darbyshire, Erin Woolley and Sheena Dauer ran at the University ofNebraska Invite on Friday.

Darbyshire ran his personal best in the 5,000 meter run at 14:22. Thistime is the third fastest 5k time in Division II this year. Darbyshireplaced fourth in the race.

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

Woolley and Dauer also ran personal bests in the 5,000 meter run. Theyfinished 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, bothin the field events and the running races.”

The Jacks run this weekend at St. Cloud State University.