Michael Pecha

Greg Darbyshire and Brad Lowery earned first-place finishes, leading the SDSU track and field team at Northwest Missouri State University last weekend.

Head coach Paul Danger was pleased with the team’s performance in what was SDSU’s first competition in over a month.

“I was especially excited about some athletes that are farther along than my staff and I thought they would be this early in the season,” Danger said.

Darbyshire won the 3,000 meter steeplechase in 9:33, while Lowery won the 1,500 meter run in 3:56.3.

Steve Schrieber placed second in the high jump with a jump of 6 feet 8 inches.

David Hegland finished fourth in the 110 meter high hurdles in 14.65 seconds.

Hegland’s time was a provisional qualifying time.

Jennifer Stovall and Jessi Webb both placed in two events to lead the women’s team.

Stovall placed fourth in the long jump at 17 feet 10 3/4 inches, and placed fifth in the 100 meter hurdles in 14.85 seconds.

Webb placed second in the javelin with a throw of 125 feet 10 inches, and placed seventh in the discus at 131 feet 4 inches.

“Jessi has a good chance to qualify for nationals if she keeps moving forward in the javelin,” Danger said.

Holly Hagena placed fifth in the discus with a throw of 145 feet.

Erin Woolley placed third in the 1,500 meter run in 4:42.

Janel Johnson pole vaulted 10 feet 7 inches to take fifth.

Cori Vining finished sixth in the 100 meter hurdles in 14.88 seconds.

Danger said that work needs to be done in some areas, but the team will come along as the weather warms up and the Jacks have more opportunities to compete.

“This was our first meet this season, and in some areas it looked like we were without competitive experience,” Danger said.

“I know this will develop with each competition though, and I look forward to every time we step on the track now.”

Several North Central Conference teams were at the meet. Danger said that competing against other NCC teams is beneficial so that he knows that the training is going well for the Jacks when they better other NCC athletes.

“Our athletes have moved up from where they were at the end of the indoor season,” Danger said.” This is exciting to know that our athletes continue to train hard and improve.”

The Jacks will compete this weekend at the D-II Challenge in Emporia, Kan.