JACKS THRIVE IN OPENING WEEKEND

Friday, March 24

Wayne, NE

South Dakota State University

Wildcat Classic

Photo by: Dave Eggen/Inertia

3/25/2023 10:45:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

WAYNE, NE – The 2023 outdoor track and field season kicked off this weekend in successful fashion for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits as athletes competed in the Wildcat Classic and Emporia State Relays on Friday and Saturday.

In Wayne, Nebraska, Hunter Wallster started things off strong by winning the men's hammer throw with his mark of 194-09.00 for a new personal best and fifth best mark in school history. Caleb Jones also took fifth place with a 174-00.25.

Ethan Fischer finished third in the men's discus throw finals with a personal best mark of 167-03.25 and Brogan Seier was ninth overall with a 149-07.00 for a new PR.

Wyatt Seagren (142-11.75) and Noah Jessup (117-11.75) also each earned new personal bests in the event.

Dominick Etherington earned the title of champion in the shot put with his mark of 55-10.25 while Seagren took second place with a 53-02.75.

Tyler O'Neill represented SDSU in two events, running a personal best 4:32.18 in the 1500-meter run and a 2:06.71 in the 800-meter run

Emma Gonzalez clocked a personal best 5:12.67 in the 1500-meter run for seventh place while Sierra Watterud claimed 16^th in 5:26.88 for a new PR.

Catylynn Duff led SDSU in the women's hammer throw after finishing in sixth place with a 159-10.25. Marianne Robin threw a 150-03.50 for 12^th place, Mildred Young was 17^th with a 142-11.50 and Kirsten Kilker threw a personal best 131-10.00.

Faith Leiseth took third place in the discus throw with her mark of 158-03.25 as True Thorne finished eighth with a 143-08.50.

Leiseth also took second place overall in the shot put with a mark of 47-04.25.

Lizzy Gillingham participated in a variety of events at the Wildcat Classic, taking 11^th in the javelin throw (91-03.75), third in the 100-meter hurdles (15.58, PR), second in the long jump (17-01.50) and second in the 200-meter dash (25.89).

Ryan Benson also competed in several events, finishing third in the javelin throw (146-07.25, PR), fifth in the 110-meter hurdles (15.43, PR) and third in the 400-meter hurdles (57.19, PR).

At the ESU Relays in Emporia, Kansas, Carter Knaus won SDSU's first event at the meet, taking first in the men's 3000-meter steeplechase in 9:19.51 while Cody Larson finished second in a personal best 9:19.51.

Tom Breuckman claimed second place in the 5000-meter run with a time of 14:35.69 for a new personal best. Lucas Caminiti finished seventh in 14:50.17, Kyle Nordling placed 12^th in 15:11.11 and Nathan Notgrass came 15^th in 15:16.11.

Knaus took the title of runner-up in the men's 1500-meter run, clocking a 3:53.59 while Larson ran a personal best 3:55.58 for fifth place. Eli Salisbury finished just behind in sixth place with a personal best 3:55.80 and Notgrass earned ninth place in 4:00.35 for a new PR.

Salisbury also took 10^th place overall in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:57.44.

On the women's side of competition, Kayla Christopherson won the 3000-meter steeplechase in 11:17.31 and Malorie Schmoll finished third with a time of 11:41.72

Hannah Spoden took third in her heat and 17^th overall in Friday's 1500-meter event with a personal best time of 5:17.73.

Kadense Dooley claimed fourth place in the 5000-meter run with a personal best time of 18:13.59 as Bridget Henne clocked an 18:43.51 for 13^th place.

Emma Ecker led SDSU in Saturday's 1500-meter run, taking fourth place overall with a personal best time of 4:43.99 while Christopherson finished 12^th in 4:50.39 for a PR.

Tori Glazier and Laura Bogue each finished in the top five of the 800-meter run, taking second place (2:15.72) and fifth place (2:18.83), respectively. Ecker (sixth, 2:19.96, PR), Nina Dawson (10^th, 2:19.65), Harley Fischer (12^th, 2:20.15) and Spoden (2:24.17) rounded out the SDSU finishers.

The women's 4x400-meter squad of Bogue, Glazier, Fischer and Dawson clocked a 4:04.74 for fourth place.

UP NEXT: SDSU will split up for three different meets in Texas, Minnesota and California from March 30 to April 1.