Hancock Shines, Mavericks Impress in First Outdoor Action

Emporia, Kan. --- The Minnesota State men's track and field team kicked off their outdoor campaign this weekend as they sent athletes to multiple meets in the midwest.

At the Emporia State Spring Open, the Mavericks returned to Mankato after capturing the team points title securing 129 total points. Senior Emmanuel Matadi set the tone early capturing both the 100-meter and 200-meter titles with times of 10.41 and 21.00, respectively. Not to be outdone, Kyran Stewart finished second in both with 10.46 in the 100-meters and 21.13 in the 200-meters. All four performances mark as provisional qualifying standards going towards the national championships. Richard Wilhite completed the Maverick sweep in the 200-meters finishing third in 21.81.

In the 400-meters, Javontee Brice finished fourth with a time of 49.70. Victor Bowen followed that with a first-place finish in the 800-meters at 1:55.34. Connor Westlake kicked off his season with a fourth-place finish in the 5000-meters with a time of 15:50.10. Freshman Austin Pasch impressed with his first effort of the season with a second-place finish in the 1500-meters finishing in 4:00.85.

Slater Powell finished third in the 110-meters hurdles with a time of 14.55, which is a provisional qualifying time. He followed that with a second-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles at 56.35. Sophomore Ben Ojika took home fourth in the 110-meter hurdles as well.

A pair of relay teams also finished the day on the podium. The 4x100, consisting of Matadi, Stewart, Wilhite and Anthony Gustafson finished first with a provisional qualifying time of 40.73. The 4x400 team followed suit with their fifth-place finish as Zach Gearman, Bowen, Dan Guelle and Justin McMurtry posted a time of 3:26.06.

Two Mavericks also posted provisional marks in the field events at Frank Veldman did so in the high jump at 6'8.75" and senior David Pearcill followed in the triple jump at 49'1".

In Maryville, Mo., Nathan Hancock competed in the Herschel Neil Decathlon, hosted by Northwest Missouri State. Hancock put in a new career-performance with 6,965 points. He currently ranks second in the nation and second all-time for MSU. Hancock posted 11.09 in the 100-meters, 15.25 in the 110-meter hurdles, 35.24 meters in the discus and 49.92 in the 400-meters to pace his performance.

The Mavericks also traveled to Des Moines, Iowa to compete in the Grand View Invitational. Freshman Jayme LaPlante finished fifth in the shot put at 45'5". He followed that finishing second in the discus with a toss of 156'11". Fellow freshman Sam Udermann followed in third and Bryan Caffin came in fifth. Adam Schultz posted a fourth-place finish in the hammer throw with a toss of 149'11".

Results from the Grand View Invitational may be viewed HERE.

ESU Spring Open results may be viewed HERE.

The Mavericks return to action next weekend as they travel to Sioux Falls S.D. to participate in the Vance Butler Invitational.

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