On Saturday, the Northwestern track and field team joined a field of six men’s and women’s teams at the Buena Vista Open in Storm Lake. The NW men finished first in total points (126), and the women third (95). Five raiders had first-place finishes.
Junior Jordan Strofaci won the men’s heptathlon, with 4,294 points, and met the NAIA qualifying mark. He now has the 11th-best mark in the NAIA. He took first in four of the seven events: 60 meter-run, long jump, 60 meter hurdles and pole vault.
Senior Jeriah Dunk placed first in the 60 meter and also recorded a top five finish in the 200 meter. Sophomore Elliott Johnson finished first in the 600 meter and recorded a time of 1:23.76. The men’s 4-by-800 meter relay team of seniors Taylor Bodin, Logan Hovland, Skyler Giddings and junior Kyle Anderson finished second at the invite and met the NAIA automatic standard with a time of 7:49.86. Senior Matt Huseman won the high jump by clearing 1.95 meters.
“It was really great to see everyone competing their best,” Johnson said. “We really showed our conference what we are capable of.”
Sophomore Abigail Stevens led the women with two top-five finishes, including winning the 60 meter hurdles with a 9.6 second time. She finished second in the pentathlon with 2,934 points, and met the NAIA qualifying standard. She won three of the five events: 60 meter hurdles, high jump and 800 meter.
“Our team is getting tougher,” Johnson said. “Everyone is improving and getting quicker and stronger, becoming more efficient in their events.”
NW finished the event with 37 top-five finishes at the meet. They will compete again at the Dennis Young or Gene Glader Classic this weekend.
