Throwers star; Gabehart, Sievert win titles on the track
CRETE, Neb. – The Concordia University track and field programs’ vaunted group of throwers again starred and Kohlton Gabehart and Emily Sievert captured titles on the track on day one of two at the Jim Dutcher Memorial hosted by Doane on Friday. In addition, Bulldog throwers won three of the four competitions held on the meet’s opening day, bringing Concordia’s total number of first-place finishes to five.
Head coach Kregg Einspahr’s squads entered the weekend ranked third in the NAIA, according to USTFCCCA computer ratings.
“It was just a real good start to the weekend,” Einspahr said. “We had some real nice performances. I’m not sure I expected Kohlton to win the 10,000, but he had a good day. And we had more good marks from our throwers and from Lucas Wiechman in the decathlon.”
Defending javelin national champion Liz King made it a perfect 4-for-4 in this season’s javelin competitions. She again surpassed a national qualifying mark with a toss of 148 feet. Fellow Bulldog Katricia Svoboda finished runner up with her mark of 135’ 3,” also eclipsing the measurement needed to reach the national meet.
Concordia dominated the men’s hammer throw, taking up the top five places. NAIA national leader Cody Boellstorff again broke the 200 feet plateau with his winning toss of 204 feet. Second through fourth-place finishers Josh Slechta (187’ 6”), Zach Lurz (186’ 3”) and Trey Farmer (177’ 1”) also posted national qualifying marks.
Sievert took first in the 5,000 meter run by clocking in at 18:37.22, roughly nine seconds faster than the runner up. Gabehart checked in with a winning time of 35:01.04 in the 10,000 meter race.
In the decathlon, three Bulldogs will enter day two with top six placements. Sophomore Lucas Wiechman has totaled 3,404 points (second place) after five events scored. Teammates Brandon Cook (fourth, 3,220) and Brandon Ramos (sixth, 3,051) fall next in line in a field of 15 athletes.
Bulldogs make up three of the top five and six of the top 11 in the women’s hammer throw. Sophomore Kali Robb won the event with a mark of 173’ 3.” King followed with a toss of 170’ 4.”
In the women’s heptathlon, Paige Gets (1,832 points) sits sixth and Karissa Segelke is in seventh (1,812 points). The final four events will play out on Saturday.
Day two of the Jim Dutcher Memorial gets underway at 11 a.m. on Saturday with field events. Running events pick up at 1 p.m. Multi events will resume at approximately 1:45 p.m. View the complete schedule HERE.