Mustangs battle windy conditions at USD Early Bird

VERMILLION, S.D. – The temperatures are typically the biggest concern in early April, but it was the windy conditions that tested Morningside's track and field athletes at the USD Early Bird Friday and Saturday in Vermillion.

Friday's conditions were more favorable for the distance runners, and a few of them took advantage. Garrett Hanson started the day for the Mustangs in the Steeplechase, running 10:11.92 for 12th place. In the 800-meters that followed, Braden Sonksen and Rodrigo Lopez set their best marks of the young season with runs of 2:04.41 and 2:08.05 respectively. 

Four Morningside runners ran in the same heat of the 1,500 and Eein McKinley was the top finisher of the group, running 4:17.07. Eli Ebel competed in the 400-meter hurdles Friday, running 1:04.2.

In field events Friday, Keyan Fulton heaved a personal best 125-4 (38.22 meters) and John Groetken reached 118-0 (35.98). Fulton also threw the shot put Friday, placing 29th at 42-0.75 (12.82 meters).

With the short distance races scheduled for Saturday, the winds decided to pick up, resulting in wind-aided heats for some. Morningside's top place-finisher Saturday was Ebel, who took 19th in the 110 hurdle prelims, running a wind-aided 16.43. Boston Riedemann ran 17.13 with the same wind. Both runners had to re-run their respective heats after high winds caused timing issues on their first attempts. 

Leighton Olesen ran 10.93 to place 29th in the 100, winning his heat. Adam Fillipi was Morningside's top sprinter in the 200, running 24.24. All four Mustangs in the 400 placed within five spots of each other, with Sonksen taking the top spot between his teammates at 56.44.

The wind led to some strong marks in the javelin Saturday morning. Fulton placed 12th in the event with a throw of 158-4 (48.26-meters). Luke Paulsen took 17th at 149-4 (45.52). Groetken heaved 128-10 (39.28) and Tom Moss 127-9 (38.95) to finish back-to-back in the standings.

The Mustangs are back in action at the Sioux City Relays Friday and Saturday at Elwood Olsen Stadium.