Jaiden Peraza qualified for the NAIA Indoor National Championships in two events on Saturday as VCSU Track & Field opened the season in Bismarck.
 
Peraza, a sophomore from Kindred, N.D., set personal records and qualified for nationals in both the high jump and the long jump at the Marauders Indoor Open. He cleared 2.06 meters (6'9") in the high jump to win the meet and hit the NAIA 'A' standard for national qualifiers. In the long jump, Peraza leaped 7.06 meters (23'2") to place third and hit the NAIA 'B' standard.
 
With those two performances, Peraza punched his ticket to compete at the NAIA Indoor National Championships set for Feb. 29 to March 2 in Brookings, S.D.
 
Peraza's big day highlighted several Top 6 performances by Viking athletes at the season opening meet. The top six individuals in each event scored team points.

COMPLETE RESULTS
 
Freshman Aaron Cutshall made his Viking debut with a second-place finish in the men's triple jump. Cutshall went 13.39 meters (43'11.25") on his farthest jump of the day, earning eight team points for VCSU. Jalen Strickland placed fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 12.46 meters (40'10.5"). Strickland also placed sixth in the high jump with a height of 1.80 meters.
 
Jacob Berg set a new PR in the weight throw by nearly three feet, placing fifth with his throw of 12.93 meters (42'5.25") on Saturday. Clay Kummer also made the Top 6 with a sixth-place finish in the 60 meter hurdles (8.92 seconds).
 
For the Viking women, Jade Azure turned in a pair of Top 6 finishes on Saturday. She had a fourth-place finish in the weight throw with a throw of 13.36 meters (43'10"). Kendra Odegard and Azure took fifth and sixth respectively in the shot put. Odegard's top mark of 11.71 meters (38'5") placed her fifth and Azure was right behind with a mark of 11.63 meters (38'2").
 
Freshman Emma Muggli made her Viking debut with a fifth-place finish in triple jump, leaping 10.10 meters (33'1.75"). Freshman Karina Olson took seventh in the long jump, leaping 5.22 meters (17'1.5") in her first meet as a Viking. That mark is less than a foot off the national qualifying standard in women's long jump.
 
Up next: Valley City State will send some of its top athletes to the NDSU Bison Alumni Classic on Friday, Dec. 8. The bulk of the team will resume competition on Jan. 20 in Moorhead.
 
Marauders Indoor Open
VCSU Women – Top 8 Finishes
Long Jump: 7. Karina Olson, 5.22 meters
Triple Jump: 5. Emma Muggli, 10.10 meters
Shot put: 5. Kendra Odegard, 11.71 meters; 6. Jade Azure, 11.63 meters
Weight Throw: 4. Jade Azure, 13.36 meters
 
VCSU Men – Top 8 Finishes
60 Hurdles: 6. Clay Kummer, 8.92
High Jump: 1. Jaiden Peraza, 2.06 meters; 6. Jalen Strickland, 1.80 meters
Long Jump: 3. Jaiden Peraza, 7.06 meters; 8. Cameron Champagnie, 6.48 meters
Triple Jump: 2. Aaron Cutshall, 13.39 meters; 5. Jalen Strickland, 12.46 meters
Shot Put: 7. Rodrigo Samayoa, 11.47 meters; 8. Jacob Berg, 11.39 meters
Weight Throw: 5. Jacob Berg, 12.93 meters; 7. Cody Frounfelter, 12.68 meters