VCSU freshman Jaiden Peraza won the men's high jump, and Valley City State track and field athletes had six Top 3 finishes during the U-Mary Marauder Invite on Saturday.

Peraza cleared 1.96 meters (6 feet, 5 inches) to win the men's high jump competition in just his second collegiate meet. His finish highlighted a strong day by Viking athletes that also included two second-place finishes and three third-place performances.

VCSU junior Clay Kummer had both of the Vikings' second-place finishes. He ran 8.80 seconds in the men's 60 meter hurdles finals to place second. His prelim time of 8.78 seconds was his second fastest time ever. In the men's 400, Kummer finished with a time of 53.21 for another second-place finish amongst a field of 11 runners.

Freshman Jalen Strickland jumped 12.08 meters in the triple jump (39 feet, 7.75 inches) to place third. Noah Rolfe trimmed eight seconds off his mile time from last week and also took third on Saturday, finishing the mile in a time of 4:46.49.

For the Viking women, Sadie Hansen sent a new career-best in the shot put. Her throw of 12.27 meters (40 feet, 3.2 inches) was good for third place out of 18 throwers.

The Viking men finished with 39 team points, while the women had 18 points. The majority of VCSU's distance runners did not compete. VCSU's full team is expected to compete after the holiday break.

Top 8 finishes for VCSU are listed below. Complete results from the meet can be found at: https://tfrrs.org/results/75758/2022_Marauders_Indoor_Opener__Multi

Up next: Valley City State takes a break for the holidays and will resume the indoor season on Jan. 14 in Bismarck. 

U-Mary Marauder Invite
Dec. 10 – Bismarck, N.D.
VCSU Women – Top 8 Finishes
60 Meter Hurdles: 5. Taylor Sargent, 9.53; 8. Mathea Jablonsky, 10.43
High Jump: 6. Taylor Sargent, 1.45 meters (4-9)
Long Jump: 7. Taylor Sargent, 4.45 meters (14-7.25)
Shot Put: 3. Sadie Hansen, 12.27 meters (40-3.25)
Weight Throw: 7. Jade Azure, 12.41 meters (40-8.75)

VCSU Men – Top 8 Finishes
400 Meters: 2. Clay Kummer, 53.21
Mile Run: 3. Noah Rolfe, 4:46.49
60 Meter Hurdles: 2. Clay Kummer, 8.78
High Jump: 1. Jaiden Peraza, 1.96 meters (6-5)
Long Jump: 6. Jaiden Peraza, 6.24 meters (20-5.75); 8. Jalen Strickland, 5.58 meters (18-3.75)
Triple Jump: 3. Jalen Strickland, 12.08 meters (39-7.75)