Men's Track close second at MIAC meet

May 14, 2005
see final meet results here

In one of the closest team races in history, St. John's held off St. Thomas by a mere 7.5 points to win the 2005 MIAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Macalester. The two-day meet concluded Saturday night.

It was just the third time since 1983 the Tommies didn't take the outdoor team crown as the Johnnies won in 1997, 1999 and 2005.

SJU scored 172.5 points to 165 for St. Thomas. St. Olaf (89), Gustavus (88), Hamline (86) and Carleton (60) placed 3-4-5-6. The Tommies won six events and had six runner-up placings and scored in 16 of 22 events.

Senior All-American Carson Glad swept the 200 and 400 dahses in 21.79 and 48.56. That gives him 21 career conference titles in relay or individual events. Carson and his fellow seniors helped the Tommies win seven of a possible eight team titles indoors and outdoors in his career.

Other Saturday UST winners were Dave Diercks in the javelin (187-3); the 4x100 relay team (Jeremy Krentz, Dan Everson, Cassidy Glad, Justin Nwadiashi), which edged St. John's by .01 of a second; and Cory Fusco and Bryce Beckman, who took 1-2 in the 800 in 1:55.33 and 1:55.34. UST also took second by a fraction in the 4x400 relay to the Johnnies (3:18.24).

Cassidy Glad also was third in the 100 meters (11.27) and fourth in the 200 (22.44); Jason Schwietz was third in the 400 (48.87) and seventh in the 200 (22.78); Mike Draxton and Jerrod Gray were 2-3 in the high jump (both 6-4 1-4); P.J. Theisen was second in the 400 hurdles (54.19) and fourth in the triple jump (43-10 1-2); Travis Birklid was fourth in the 100 hurdles (15.92) and eighth in the 400 hurdles (59.45); Brian Welle was eighth in the 110 hurdles (16.86) and sixth in the 400 hurdles (57.38); Scott Busacker was fifth in the 400 hurdles (57.08); Joe Statler was seventh in the javelin (148-8); and J.J. Kirby was eighth in the 400 (50.20 after 49.65 in prelims).

Friday highlights
Derek Marks took first in the discus (158-11); Peter Rosholt was second in the hammer (171-3); P.J. Theisen (21-10 3-4) and Bryce Beckman (20-8) placed 3-8 in the long jump; Colin Sullivan was sixth in the 10,000 (32:29.56); and UST took second in the 4x800 relay in 7:52.40 with Joe Hoovestol, Jeff Goeden, Beckman and Cory Fusco.

UST qualified its 4x100 relay to the finals with the second-best time; Kaleb Stromberg advanced in the 1,500 (4:08.23 in the prelims); and Travis Birklid and Brian Welle advanced to Saturday's finals in the 110 hurdles. UST also advanced five in the 400 hurdles; three in the 400 meters, 800 meters and 200 meters; one in the 100 meters. UST also needs to score well in the high jump, triple jump and 4x100 and 4x400 relays.