From VCSU Athletics
SPEARFISH, S.D. – VCSU senior Zachary Co and freshman Kendra Odegard both qualified for nationals on Saturday during the Yellow Jacket Spring Open – VCSU’s first outdoor track meet of the season.
Both Co and Odegard hit the NAIA ‘A’ Standard in their respective throwing events, punching their ticket to compete at the NAIA Outdoor National Championships, May 25-27 in Gulf Shores, Ala.
Odegard throw 41.54 meters (136 feet, 3 inches) to win the women’s javelin in her first outdoor meet as a Viking. Odegard won the meet by almost 10 feet, topping a field of 30 competitors from NCAA Division II and NAIA schools. Her throw of 41.54 meters ranks her fifth all-time in Viking history and is the sixth-best throw in the NAIA so far this season.
In the men’s shot put, Co wasted little time punching his return ticket to nationals. The four-time All-American won Saturday’s event with a throw of 16.15 meters (53 feet). That won the meet by more than 4 feet and ranks Co fifth in the nation so far this season. Co also placed second in the hammer throw this weekend with a mark of 52.84 meters.
Valley City State’s men scored 38.5 team points this weekend in Spearfish, placing 9th out of 12 teams competing. The Viking women scored 19.5 points, finishing 9th out of 11 women’s teams.
Clay Kummer had a strong showing in the men’s hurdles events, collecting two Top 4 finishes. Kummer was third in the 400 hurdles with a time of 58.57 seconds, and placed fourth in the 110 hurdles in 16.29 seconds. Luis Garcia added a fourth-place finish out of 27 competitors in the mens’ 800 meters, clocking a time of 2:02.42.
In a field of 33 runners in the men’s 1500 meters, VCSU’s Noah Rolfe clocked a time of 4:11.60 to finish seventh.
Up next: Valley City State is scheduled to compete at the University of Minnesota-Morris Open on April 2.
Yellow Jacket Spring Open
March 25-26, Spearfish, S.D.
VCSU Top 8 Results
VCSU Women – 19.5 team points (9th out of 11)
5000 Meters: 6. Jasmine Barnes, 20:41.30
4×400 Relay: 5. VCSU, 4:51.66 (Tibke, Miyashiro, Cleveland, Hatlewick)
High jump: 8. Sydney Co, 1.45 meters
Hammer throw: 7. Hannah Gordon, 41.48 meters
Javelin: 1. Kendra Odegard, 41.54 meters (NAIA ‘A’ Standard)
VCSU Men – 38.5 team points (9th out of 12)
800 Meters: 4. Luis Garcia, 2:02.42
1500 Meters: 7. Noah Rolfe, 4:11.60
110 Hurdles: 4. Clay Kummer, 16.29
400 Hurdles: 3. Clay Kummer, 58.57
4×400 Relay: 8. VCSU, 3:50.87 (Garcia, Wheeling, Mattheis, Rolfe)
High jump: 8. Jayden Gerringer, 1.80 meters
Long jump: 9. Jayden Gerringer, 6.18 meters
Shot put: 1. Zachary Co, 16.15 meters (NAIA ‘A’ Standard)
Discus: 8. Zachary Co, 41.65 meters
Hammer throw: 2. Zachary Co, 52.84 meters