BROOKINGS, S.D. (VCSUVikings.com) – Valley City State University’s men placed second and the women took third Saturday at the North Star Athletic Association Indoor Track & Field Championships.
Along with the strong team finishes, the Vikings took home three individual conference titles, broke four school records, and had 18 All Conference performances at the North Star meet in Brookings, S.D.
“Today was one of the proudest moments, if not the proudest moment, I have ever had as a coach,” said VCSU head coach Chris Johnson. “This was truly a sign of how far the program has come over the past two and a half years, and I could not be happier with the entire team. So many wonderful emotions today for so many deserving Valley City State University student-athletes and coaches. It is hard to put into words. I am grateful to be the head coach of this team.”
Valley City State’s strong performance was headlined by a trio of conference champions. Senior Lenzel Koskela took home the title in the men’s 400 meter dash, crossing the line in a time of 50.27 seconds to win by 11 hundredths of a second.
In the field events, VCSU junior Roy Allen won the men’s weight throw with a distance of 14.42 meters (47 feet, 3.75 inches). Teammate Garret Roemmich placed second with a mark of 14.17 meters.
On the women’s side, freshman Bryeann Robertson lived up to her top seed in the shot put and took home a conference title with her top throw of 12.88 meters (42 feet, 3.25 inches). The Viking women took three of the top four places in shot put as Mackenzie Huber placed second and Kari Fritel took fourth.
The top three individuals in each event and top two relay teams earned All Conference honors at the meet.
Senior Megan Johnson placed second in both the long jump and triple jump to earn a pair of All Conference honors. Macy Dimler broke her own school record in the 60 meter dash (9.58) and placed third. Allyssa Weitkum (600 meters), Grace Miller (5,000 meters) and Marilyn Quintero (weight throw) all placed third in their respective events as well and were named All Conference.
Along with Koskela’s and Allen’s titles, the Viking men had eight other All Conference performances.
Joel DelaCruz placed second and set a new school record in the 60 meter dash with a time of 7.01. His time broke the old mark of 7.05 set by DaMario Fair in 2016. Garret Roemmich (weight throw) and Zachary Co (shot put) both placed second in their respective events.
VCSU’s 4×800 relay team placed second to earn All Conference. The Viking team of Joe Celis, Kohlton Peterson, Aaron Springer and Spencer Mattheis crossed the line in a time of 8:49.63.
The Viking men also had four third-place finishes at the meet including Dennis Gonzalez (5,000 meters), Dylan Olson (3,000 meters), Orin Rambow (800 meters) and Damion Scandrick II (60 hurdles). Scandrick broke his own school record in the 60 hurdles with his prelim time of 8.65 seconds.
Jacob Furlott set a new school record in the 200 meter dash, crossing the line in a time of 22.78 seconds. Furlott placed fourth in both the 200 and 60 meter dash. His 200 meter time broke the old record of 23.06 set by Derek Elliott in 2011.
Vikings Sayge McKrill and Lenzel Koskela received the NSAA Champions of Character award for Valley City State University.
Up next: Senior Megan Johnson (long jump) and freshman Bryeann Robertson (shot put) have qualified to compete at the NAIA National Championships on March 1-3 in Pittsburg, Kan. The rest of the Vikings will shift their focus to the outdoor season which begins in late March.
NSAA Championships – Team Scores
Men
1. Dickinson State 195
2. Valley City State 109
3. Dakota State 104
4. University of Jamestown 57
5. Waldorf University 55
6. Viterbo University 37
Women
1. Jamestown 167.50
2. Dickinson State 164
3. Valley City State 71
4. Viterbo University 63.5
5. Dakota State 58
6. Waldorf University 27
VCSU Top 6 Finishes
(Top 3 individuals & Top 2 relay teams are All Conference)
Men
High Jump
T4. Alex Otto, 1.87 meters
Weight Throw
1. Roy Allen, 14.42 meters (47-3.75)
2. Garret Roemmich, 14.17 meters (46-6)
Long Jump
4. Casey Engelhard, 6.46 meters (21-2.5)
Triple Jump
4. Casey Engelhard, 13.14 meters (43-1.5)
5. Ben Novak, 12.94 meters (42-5.5)
Shot Put
2. Zachary Co, 14.07 meters (46-2)
5. Joshua Lawyer, 13.79 meters (45-3)
6. Roy Allen, 13.14 meters (43-1.5)
5,000 Meter Run
3. Dennis Gonzalez, 15:40.93
4×800 Relay
2. Valley City State, 8:49.63
60 Meter Hurdles
3. Damion Scandrick II, 8.66
60 Meter Dash
2. Joel DelaCruz, 7.01 (School record)
4. Jacob Furlott, 7.17
600 Meter Run
5. Titus Gruanue, 1:25.37
Mile Run
5. Dennis Gonzalez, 4:40.88
6. Aaron Springer, 4:54.89
400 Meter Dash
1. Lenzel Koskela, 50.27
800 Meter Run
3. Orin Rambow, 1:57.24
200 Meter Dash
4. Jacob Furlott, 22.78
3,000 Meter Run
3. Dylan Olson, 9:16.60
4×400 Relay
4. Valley City State, 3:29.08
Women
Weight Throw
3. Marilyn Quintero, 14.03 meters (46-0.5)
Long Jump
2. Megan Johnson, 5.26 meters (17-3.25)
Triple Jump
2. Megan Johnson, 11.07 meters (36-4)
Shot Put
1. Bryeann Robertson, 12.88 meters (42-3.25)
2. Mackenzie Huber, 12.77 meters (41-10.75)
4. Kari Fritel, 12.00 meters (39-4.5)
5,000 Meter Run
3. Grace Miller, 19:44.17
60 Meter Hurdles
3. Macy Dimler, 9.60
600 Meter Run
3. Allyssa Weitkum, 1:39.53
400 Meter Dash
5. Keauna Hansen, 1:01.60
800 Meter Run
6. Maddie Fenske, 2:35.74
4×400 Relay
3. Valley City State, 4:15.69