SEWARD, Neb. – Following top-five indoor national finishes, both Concordia University track and field programs received top-three national placements in the first computer ratings of the 2016 outdoor season released on Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). With 376.18 points, the Bulldog women checked in at No. 2. Meanwhile, the men racked up 302.67 points and are ranked third.
The USTFCCCA uses a computer formula based on the NAIA national performance lists to calculate team points that then determine the rankings.
Concordia’s third-ranked men boast six individuals who own at least one automatic national qualifying mark achieved at the Bronco Invite on April 2. Zach Lurz and Jose Rojas have both qualified in the discus, hammer and shot put. Junior Lucas Wiechman, who won event titles in the 110 and 400 meter hurdles and qualified for nationals in the pole vault, was named the GPAC track athlete of the week on Wednesday.
For the second-ranked women, senior Stephanie Coley stood out with her three event titles (all national qualifying marks) at the Bronco Invite. She received GPAC field athlete of the week recognition on Wednesday. Coley is one of eight Concordia female athletes with at least one automatic qualifying mark.
Below is the list of 24 automatic national qualifying marks and three ‘B’ standard marks turned in by Concordia athletes at the Bronco Invite.
- Trey Barnes – shot put (A, 52’ 6 ¾”); discus (A, 164’ 11”)
- Allison Brooks – pole vault (B, 11’ 5 ¾”)
- Kattie Cleveland – hammer (A, 173’ 11”)
- Stephanie Coley – shot put (A, 45’ 11 ¼”); discus (A, 149’ 6”); hammer (A, 181’ 11”)
- McKenzie Gravo – pole vault (A, 11’ 9 ¾”)
- Liz King – hammer (A, 174’ 2”); javelin (A, 142’ 5”)
- Philip Kreutzer – hammer (A, 177’ 3”)
- Samantha Liermann – shot put (A, 45’ 1 ¾”)
- Zach Lurz – shot put (A, 54’ 8 ¾”); discus (A, 169’ 1”); hammer (A, 181’ 10”)
- Sydney Meyer – hammer (A, 166’ 6”)
- Nicole Perry – hammer (B, 157’ 5”)
- Kali Robb – shot put (A, 44’ 7”); hammer (A, 166’ 2”)
- Jose Rojas – shot put (A, 52’ 3 ¼”); discus (A, 162’ 7”); hammer (A, 186’ 9”)
- Josh Slechta – discus (A, 163’ 9”); hammer (A, 195’)
- Katricia Svoboda – discus (A, 143’ 1”)
- Lucas Wiechman – pole vault (A, 15’ 5”)
- Kim Wood – 800 meters (B, 2:14.69)
The Bulldogs are now getting set to host the Concordia Outdoor Invitational on Saturday. The tentative event schedule can be viewed HERE.