BISMARCK, N.D. – Taylor Sargent won the 100 hurdles with a blistering time of 14.78 seconds on Sunday as the Valley City State track and field teams competed at the Al Bortke Open hosted by the University of Mary.
 
Sargent won the women's 100 hurdles race by more than a half-second to highlight VCSU's performances on Sunday. It was one of five Top 3 finishes that the Vikings turned in.
 
Jade Azure placed second in the women's discus, turning in a season-best throw of 39.15 meters. In the shot put, Sadie Hansen took third with another season-best throw of 12.33 meters.
 
On the men's side, Jaiden Peraza and Jalen Strickland both picked up third-place finishes in the jumping events. Strickland went for a season-best 12.39 meters in the triple jump, and Jaiden Peraza leaped 6.60 meters in the long jump. Colby Mendiola had a big season-best throw in the shot put, recording a mark of 14.00 meters to place sixth.
 
VCSU's women scored 44 points and placed fifth out of 10 teams at the meet. The Viking men scored 25 points and placed eighth out of 11 men's teams.
 
Up next: Valley City State is scheduled to host the Viking Twilight Meet on Wednesday, April 26. Throwing events are scheduled to start at 3 p.m. with running events beginning at 4 p.m.
 
2023 Al Bortke Open
VCSU Women – Top 8 finishes
100 Meters: 7. Lily Baldwin, 13.26
200 Meters: 5. Taylor Sargent, 26.48
1500 Meters: 5. Jasmine Barnes, 5:14.26
100 Hurdles: 1. Taylor Sargent, 14.78; 6. Mathea Jablonsky, 17.22
Shot Put: 3. Sadie Hansen, 12.33 meters
Discus: 2. Jade Azure, 39.15 meters; 5. Sadie Hansen, 37.95 meters
Hammer Throw: 6. Jade Azure, 40.18 meters
 
VCSU Men – Top 8 Finishes
100 Meters: 7. Jaiden Peraza, 11.27
1500 Meters: 7. Noah Rolfe, 4:10.10
110 Hurdles: 6. Clay Kummer, 19.91
4x400 Relay: 8. VCSU, 3:40.99 (Kummer, Awender, Brehmer, Femling)
Long Jump: 3. Jaiden Peraza, 6.60 meters
Triple Jump: 3. Jalen Strickland, 12.39 meters
Shot Put: 6. Colby Mendiola, 14.00 meters