From VCSU Athletics
VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCSUAthletics.com) – Zachary Co qualified for nationals and the Valley City State track and field team had four All-Conference performances on Day 1 of the NSAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Valley City.
Co recorded a personal-best mark of 55.09 meters in the hammer throw, placing second and meeting the NAIA ‘B’ Standard to qualify for the national meet. Co has already qualified for nationals in the men’s shot put.
The Vikings totaled three other All-Conference performances – all coming on the women’s side. Brooke Malsom placed second in triple jump with a mark of 11.09 meters. In shot put, Hannah Gordon placed second (12.16 meters) and Sadie Hansen took third (11.97 meters) to earn All-Conference.
The top three individual finishers in each event earn All-Conference, along with the top two relay teams in each event. The Top 8 finishers in each event score team points on a 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
The Viking women racked up 40 team points on day one as they sit in fourth place in the standings. Viterbo University leads the women with 83 team points.
Valley City State’s men scored 14 team points and are currently in fifth place. Dakota State leads the men’s team race with 99 points.
A total of 13 events were completed on Thursday (7 women, 6 men). The NSAA decathlon and heptathlon were completed back in April.
The remainder of the conference championship meet will be held Friday in Valley City. Events on Friday start at 9 a.m. with the men’s and women’s javelin. The javelin will be contested at Valley City’s Hi-Line Park due to wet conditions on the VCSU campus. Other throwing and running events will begin at 12 p.m. Friday at VCSU’s John & Diane Hill Track & Field Complex.
NSAA Track & Field Outdoor Championships
Women’s Team Scores
1. Viterbo 83
2. Dakota State 76
3. Dickinson State 68
4. Valley City State 40
5. Iowa Wesleyan 19
6. Bellevue 15
7. Waldorf 7
VCSU Women – Top 8 Finishers
10,000 Run: 4. Jasmine Barnes, 44:31.83
4×800 Relay: 5. VCSU, 11:02.12 (Miyashiro, Gannon, Tibke, Cleveland)
Triple Jump: 2. Brooke Malsom, 11.09 meters; 5. Sydney Co, 10.41 meters
Shot put: 2. Hannah Gordon, 12.16 meters; 3. Sadie Hansen, 11.97 meters; 4. Jade Azure, 11.92 meters
Men’s Team Scores
1. Dakota State 99
2. Dickinson State 87
3. Waldorf 36
4. Viterbo 20
5. Valley City State 14
6. Iowa Wesleyan 4
VCSU Men – Top 8 Finishers
4×800 Relay: 4. VCSU, 8:44.95 (Garcia, Benner, Femling, Rolfe)
Triple jump: 8. Jayden Gerringer, 12.59 meters
Hammer Throw: 2. Zachary Co, 55.09 meters (national qualifier)