Men's Track has good showings at two meets

February 23, 2004
The St. Thomas men's track and field team sent a few athletes to Friday's University of Minnesota Snow Open and the bulk of its team to Saturday's four-team Tostrud Classic at St. Olaf. The host Oles, Luther and potent UW-LaCrosse were also competing in the Northfield meet.

Neither competition was team scored, but the Toms had a few more season-best marks.

At St. Olaf, senior Matt McLaughlin improved his NCAA provisional qualifying mark in the weight throw by seven inches as he threw 55-9 1/4 for second place. He also took third in the shot put (47-1 1/2).

The Toms also set a building record for the 4x200 relay as they won in 1:28.85.

Senior Ben Garbe won the triple jump in 45-4 1-4 -- the best mark in the MIAC thus far in 2004.

Senior Joe Thomas won the high jump (6-1 1-2) and freshman Matt Schroeder won the pole vault in a career-best height (14-8 1-4). All four Tommis pole vaulters posted season-best marks. In another strong performance, freshman P.J. Theisen ran 49.99 in the 400 for fifth place, just off the 49.80 NCAA provisional clocking.

Seconds were scored by Carson Glad in the 200 (22.57); Nick Schleder in the 600 yards (1:16.74); Theisen in the long jump (21-6 3-4); and Nate Page in the pole vault (14-2 1-2).

Thirds were scored by Travis Birklid in the 55 hurdles (8.17); Jason Schwietz in the 200 (22.77); Jerrod Gray in the high jump (5-9 3-4); and Brad Hanson in the pole vault (13-2 1-2).

Fourths were scored by Tom Hart in the 55 (6.72); Jason Simmons in the 55 hurdles (8.26); and Brian Hauge in the 1,000 (2:36.35). Fifths were scored by Dan Everson (6.79); Joe Hoovestol in the 1000 (2:38.02); and Andy Dauer in the pole vault (12-8 3-4). Sixths were scored by Chris Mattke in the 55 hurdles (8.35); Shaun Sharpe in the 200 (23.25); Jeff Goeden in the 1000 (2:39.39); Derek Harmon in the 3,000 (8:58.49); Mattke in the long jump (20-0 1-4); and Peter Rosholt in the weight throw (47-7).

At Friday's U of M competition, Cory Fusco was sixth in the 800 in 1:56.48; Bryce Beckman was third in the 600 meters (1:25.45); and Sean Brenckman was 11th in the 3,000 (8:59.52). Fusco's time is the fastest in the MIAC this year and just off the NCAA provisional time of 1:55.10.

St. Thomas has its final tuneup for the March 6-7 MIAC Championships next Saturday when it competes again at St. Olaf.

click here for links to both meet complete results