NORTH NEWTON, Kan. – As a result of the Viking Relays being canceled due to cold temperatures, a group of 20 throwers from Concordia University Track & Field quickly changed plans and traveled to North Newton, Kan., for the Bethel Invitational held on Saturday (March 23). The yields included five automatic national qualifying standards and two marks that met the NAIA ‘B’ standard. The auto marks were turned in by Matthew Boyer (javelin), Carson Fehlhafer (shot put), Abby Gerber (shot put), Darien Semedo (shot put) and Chris Wren (hammer throw).
Athletes outside of the throws group still have yet to get the 2024 outdoor season started. Head Coach Matt Beisel’s programs are coming off an indoor season that saw both the women and men place inside the top 10 at the NAIA national meet.
It was a fine start for throws coach Ed McLaughlin’s crew on Saturday. Boyer popped off a personal best of 196’ 10” in the javelin and placed second at the Bethel Invite. Meanwhile, Fehlhahfer won the shot put with a toss of 53’ 3 ¾,” Semedo placed as the runner up to Fehlhafer in the shot put (52’ 4”) and Wren took first place in the hammer with a mark of 182’ 4.” Semedo also turned in a ‘B’ standard in the hammer (177’ 8”) and placed second behind Wren. On the women’s side, Gerber was the winner in the shot put with her throw of 45’ 1 ¾.” In the women’s hammer, Abi Wohlgemuth placed second with a ‘B’ mark of 165’ 6.”
Additionally, Gretchen Stottlemyre came away with the win in the women’s javelin (125’ 2”) and returning All-American Austen Rozelle placed third in the men’s discus (143’).
Automatic National Qualifying Standards
· Matthew Boyer – Javelin (196’ 10”)
· Carson Fehlhafer – Shot Put (53’ 3 ¾”)
· Abby Gerber – Shot Put (45’ 1 ¾”)
· Darien Semedo – Shot Put (52’ 4”)
· Chris Wren – Hammer Throw (182’ 4”)
‘B’ Standards – Darien Semedo (Hammer) and Abi Wohlgemuth (Hammer).
Next up on the outdoor schedule is Thursday’s Central College Dutch Invite, which is slated to get underway at 12 p.m. CT from Pella, Iowa. The season’s first home meet, the Concordia Invitational, is scheduled for April 5-6.