Gustavus junior Josh Owens (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) broke the MIAC men’s outdoor pole vault record Saturday at the Meet of the UnSaintly in St. Paul, clearing a height of 16-6.75. Owens broke the previous record of 16-6.5, which has stood since 1983 (Dave Wenberg, Hamline). His new career mark is at the top of the MIAC performance list and is 1-1.75 higher than the second place vauler. Owens is also ranked fifth in all of Division III.
Blair Riegel didn’t set any records, but he did take first in the triple jump with a distance of 46-5.25. Gustavus’ 4×100-meter relay team – Matt Dvorak, Phillip Butler, Kendrick Hall and Riegel – placed second with a time of 42.35. A trio of bronze medals was garnered as well. Steve Groskreutz in the 110-meter hurdles at 15.35, Eric Jorgenson in the 800-meter with a time of 1:53.68 and Riegel in the long jump at 21-10.25.
The Gustavus women’s team was unable to reach the top of the podium in any event, but tallied three second-place and three third-place individual finishes. Emily Klatt took second in both the high jump and long jump with a height of 5-3.0 and a distance of 17-0.75, respectively. Ally Voss garnered the third second-place finish after clearing a height of 11-11.75 in the pole vault. Taking third-place in their respective events were Sarah Baker in the long jump with a distance of 16-7.75, Rachel Colter in the javelin with a throw of 104-03 and Caitlin Fermoyle in the 3000-meter steeplechase, crossing the finish line in 11:42.43.
The Gustavus track and field team has the week to prepare for the MIAC Championships, which will be held on Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12 at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn.