NEW ORLEANS, La. – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has announced the All-Region honorees for the 2018 NCAA Division III indoor track & field season, with Gustavus men’s track & field athletes Michael Hensch (Jr., North Branch, Minn.) and Taylor Rooney (Fy., Andover, Minn.) receiving central region honors.
Hensch’s Indoor season was headlined by his shot put performance at the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships in St. Paul, Minn. Feb. 23-24. Hensch claimed the top shot put throw of 56 feet, finishing more than two feet ahead of the next closest competitor with a career-high, which ranks fourth best in Division III.
Rooney is an all-region honoree in both the 60-meter hurdles and the high jump. At the MIAC Indoor Championships, Rooney shined for the Gusties, earning ‘Outstanding Performance of the Meet’ in the 60-meter hurdles, setting a MIAC Indoor Record time of 8.15, breaking the previous record of 8.40 – set by Joe Wistricill of the University of St. Thomas in 2012. During day two of the Indoor Championships, Rooney picked up his second first place finish with a career-best and school record leap of 6-8. His season-best 60m hurdle time of 8.14 ranks ninth in Division III, while his 6-8 high jump is 29th.