BROOKINGS, S.D. – Viking athletes had five All-Conference performances and set numerous personal records on Sunday as the VCSU track and field team competed at the North Star Athletic Association Indoor Conference Championships.
The top three individuals in each event earned All-Conference, and the top eight finishers scored team points. Valley City State's women totaled 47 team points as they finished in fourth place out of seven teams at the conference meet. The Viking men scored 31 points to finish seventh.
"Today we showed up, had some fun, were carefree and set some nice personal records," said VCSU head coach Laquone Robinson. "Overall, it was a terrific meet, and we're looking to build from this."
COMPLETE RESULTS
Jaiden Peraza led the way on the men's side with a pair of All-Conference finishes. Peraza tied for second in the men's high jump, clearing 1.96 meters, and set a new personal record in the long jump to place second as well. Peraza leaped 6.74 meters (22 feet, 1.5 inches) in the long jump to earn All-Conference in that event.
Valley City State's women had three third-place finishes for their All-Conference honors. Taylor Sargent lowered her own school record in the 60-meter hurdles, placing third with a time of 9.02 seconds. The top four finishers in the women's 60-meter hurdles all surpassed the NAIA national qualifying mark. Sargent added a seventh-place finish in long jump.
Jasmine Barnes ran three races and had three Top 8 finishes on the day, competing in all the distance events: the 5000 meters, 3000 meters and mile run. Barnes earned All-Conference and took third in the 5000 meters with a personal-best time of 19:36.19. She placed fourth in the mile run and sixth in the 3000.
In the shot put, Sadie Hansen placed third to earn All-Conference as well. She recorded a top mark of 11.91 meters (39 feet, 1 inches). Kendra Odegard placed sixth in the shot put to score team points. Misa Miyashiro (8th, 600 meters), Jade Azure (4th, weight throw) and Emma Bastian (8th, weight throw) all set personal records and scored team points with Top 8 finishes.
Noah Rolfe had a pair of Top 8 finishes for the Viking men, placing fifth in the 800 meters and eighth in the mile run. Clay Kummer (7th, 400 meters) and Dom Santiago (8th, 5000 meters) also scored team points.
Up next: Taylor Sargent (60-meter hurdles) and Jaiden Peraza (high jump) will represent VCSU at the NAIA National Championships, March 2-4 in Brookings, S.D.
NSAA Indoor Track & Field Championships
Brookings, S.D.
Top 8 Finishers
VCSU Women
600 Meters: 8. Misa Miyashiro, 1:52.12
Mile Run: 4. Jasmine Barnes, 5:42.09
3000 Meters: 6. Jasmine Barnes, 11:46.47
5000 Meters: 3. Jasmine Barnes, 19:36.19
60 Meter Hurdles: 3. Taylor Sargent, 9.02
4x400 Relay: 5. VCSU, 4:46.81 (Hatlewick, Goosell, Haerer, Miyashiro)
4x800 Relay: 4. VCSU, 11:02.91 (Haerer, Goodsell, Hatlewick, Miyashiro)
Long Jump: 7. Taylor Sargent, 4.86 meters (15-11.5)
Shot Put: 3. Sadie Hansen, 11.91 meters (39-1); 6. Kendra Odegard, 11.43 meters (37-6)
Weight Throw: 4. Jade Azure, 14.04 meters (46-0.75); 8. Emma Bastian, 13.16 meters (43-2.25)
VCSU Men
400 Meters: 7. Clay Kummer, 51.79
800 Meters: 5. Noah Rolfe, 2:05.53
Mile Run: 8. Noah Rolfe, 4:45.10
5000 Meters: 8. Dom Santiago, 16:43.75
4x400 Relay: 5. VCSU, 3:43.57 (Awender, Brehmer, Rolfe, Kummer)
4x800 Relay: 5. VCSU, 8:47.10 (Nelson, Brehmer, Eichhorst, Awender)
High Jump: 2. Jaiden Peraza, 1.96 meters (6-5)
Long Jump: 2. Jaiden Peraza, 6.74 meters (22-1.5)
