Michael Pecha

South Dakota State head track and field coach Paul Danger believes that if his team continues to run as well as they have, and if they get a few breaks, the Jackrabbits can have one of the highest finishes in the NCC indoor conference meet in years.

The Jackrabbits have performed well all season, but have come on strong in the past two meets.

Three more athletes, and the women’s 1600 meter relay team gained NCAA provisional qualifying times at North Dakota State.

Brad Lowery made it on the qualifying list, finishing the 800 meter run in 1:53.46.

Cori Vining and Jennifer Stovall both qualified in the 55 meter hurdles, in 8.35 seconds and 8.25 seconds, respectively.

The women’s 1600 meter relay team of Stovall, Heather Hall, Anne Jorgenson and Josey Meuer qualified in a time of 3 minutes 53 seconds.

“I was very pleased with the athletes who had qualifying times for the NCAA national indoor track and field championships,” Danger said.

“These were all great efforts, and now give us 13 people in events for the national meet.”

Other top finishers for the Jackrabbits were: Dave Hegland, Greg Darbyshire and Kevin Doe.

Hegland placed second in the 55 meter hurdles in 7.68.Darbyshire places first in the 3,000 meter run, and Doe placed second in the mile with a time of 4 minutes 17 seconds.

Danger was especially excited about Hegland’s performance.

“Dave is only two one-hundreths of a second from a qualifying time,” Danger said. “I know Dave can hit that qualifying time. He has really moved his hurdling to another level this year.”

Several women also earned top-five finishes.

Anne Jorgenson ran the 400 meter dash in 58.23 seconds to place third.

Katie Cameron placed fourth in the 500 meter dash in 1.23.84. Kara

Lucas finished third in the 1,000 meter run, in 3:14.5. Distance runner, Alyssa Ruedebusch finished third in the 3,000 meter run in 10:46.

Jamie Keck and Janel Johnson both placed high in field events for the Jackrabbits.

Keck leaped 38-2 1/2 feet in the triple jump, earning third place.

Johnson placed fifth in the pole vault, at 11-0 1/4.

Danger said he was excited about the Jackrabbits’ performances this past weekend, and all season long.

“I am looking forward to the North Central Conference championships next weekend in Mankato,” Danger said. “We really have some good areas to score a lot of points.”