COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Due to the cancelation of this weekend’s scheduled Bronco Open in Hastings, a small group of Bulldogs traveled to the Reiver Open hosted by Iowa Western Community College on Friday and Saturday. Representing Concordia University track and field, throwers accounted for five new automatic national qualifying marks. Additionally, the Bulldogs won six event titles at the meet that took place in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
It was a big day for Kali Robb, who unleashed throws in both the hammer throw (180’ 2”) and the shot put (46’ 7 ¼”) that are leading the nation. She won those events at the Reiver Open and also placed fourth in the discus. She has now secured her spot at the national championships in each of her three outdoor events.
The Reiver Open also marked the 2017 outdoor debut for four-time national champion Zach Lurz. His throw of 57’ 6 ½” in the shot put puts him at No. 1 in the NAIA. He took event titles in the hammer throw (192’ 2”) and the shot put while placing fifth in the discus with a ‘B’ standard mark of 157’ 5.” An additional national qualifying throw was turned in by Philip Kreutzer, who tossed the hammer 177’ 9” for a fifth-place claim at the Reiver Open.
Head coach Matt Beisel also entered several runners into the meet. In the men’s 800 meter race, which included four Bulldogs, CJ Muller clocked a first-place time of 1:54.82. Marti Vlasin won the 800 on the women’s side by finishing in 2:22.52. Another three men ran the 1,500 with Josiah McAllister placing third (4:12.69). An All-American on the basketball court, Quinn Wragge was the runner up to Vlasin in the 800.
The Bulldogs will stage their first home meet of the 2017 outdoor season next weekend when the Concordia Outdoor Invitational takes place Friday and Saturday (April 7-8) in and around Bulldog Stadium. The meet schedule can be viewed HERE.