MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State men's indoor track and field assembled 288.5 points for first place as they hosted the Bearson/Gathje Classic at Myers Field House Friday afternoon. The Mavericks finished ahead of competition from Minnesota Duluth (153.5), St. Olaf (116), and Carleton (12).
 
Senior James Gilbert headlined the men's long jump with a first place mark at 7.70 meters (25' 3.25"), topping his initial jump at the Chuck Petersen Open to start the year.
 
Junior Slade Heald took second in the long jump at 7.43m (24' 4.50").
 
"James and Slade had a great night with the No. 1 and No. 6 jumps in the nation," said head coach Mike Turgeon. "We knew going in that Coach Sebera assembled a special group in the horizontal jumps this season. I am very excited to see how the group continues to progress over the next few months. We are looking forward to competing against a few Big Ten teams next weekend at University of Iowa."
 
Triple jump also went to the Mavericks' Onyekachi Ukaobasi (14.74m, 48' 4.50").
 
In throws, Carter Aguilera topped 19 competitors with a weight throw of 18.49m (60' 8.00"). Steven Orzolek bested three Bulldog student-athletes to take first in shot put (16.49m 54' 1.25").
 
Minnesota State took all three spots on the podium in pole vault, with freshman Collin Windorski and Alex Berg both going out at 4.61m (15'' 1.50").
 
On the track, Shemar Miller took first place in the 60 meter dash (6.88 seconds) following his selection as NSIC Track Athlete of the Week before the holiday break, an NCAA qualifying time. Daniel Attoh (6.94) and Nicholas Attoh (7.02) crossed second and third respectively.
 
Abel Christiansen won the 60 meter hurdles with a time of 8.07 seconds. Junior Pontes Da Veiga ran the 400 meter dash with a winning time of 49.77 seconds in heat one.
 
Thirty-nine men ran the 200 meter dash and the Mavericks took the top eight positions, including Jabez Reeves in first with a time of 22.03 seconds.
 
Minnesota State heads to Iowa City for the Larry Wieczorek Invitational January 19-20 at Iowa Indoor Track Building.