The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference named Gustavus junior Josh Owens as its Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week for his performance at the Ted Nelson Classic at Minnesota State University-Mankato on Saturday. Owens won the pole vault against a field of NCAA Division II teams, clearing a height of 15-9.25 feet – 5.75 inches higher than the second place vaulter.
Owens’ mark in the pole vault was his personal best and broke the program record as well. The previous Gustavus men’s indoor pole vault record was 15-7.25 feet set by Josh Sorenson in 2007. A Brooklyn Park, Minn. native, Owens also jumped to the top of the MIAC performance list and moved into the top 10 nationally, ranking ninth in all of Division III.
The Gustavus men’s indoor track and field team is back in action Saturday to compete in the Van Nelson Classic hosted by St. Cloud State University.