MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State topped the chart with 271.5 points in an 11-team field to take home a 12^th consecutive NSIC Outdoor Track and Field Championship Saturday at Mark Schuck Outdoor Track & Field Complex. Augustana (78), Northern State (73), Northern State (73) and MSU Moorhead followed in the top five.
 
It was a well-rounded effort for the Mavericks, which hosted the meet on campus in beautiful mid-70's, sunny weather but a couple of upper classman standouts emerged.
 
Senior Shemar Miller set facility and NSIC records with his first place triple jump mark of 16.02 meters (52'6.75"). Miller set a personal record and the No. 1 mark in Division II this season. MSU's Jordan Spencer (15.52m, 4^th in Division II) was second, followed by Onyekachi Ukaobasi (15.43m, 7^th in Division II), Camwrin Harris (14.83m, 30^th in Division II) and Jalen McGee (14.71m, 45^th in Division II).
 
Junior Jabez Reeves made a triumphant return to Mankato after qualifying in the 4x100 meter relay for the Olympic Games in Nassau, Bahamas for Team Liberia. Reeves won the 100 meter dash with a personal record, facility record, and Division II third fastest time of 10.27. He was followed in the event by teammates Richlu Tudee (10.43, facility record, 21^st in Division II) and Shemar Miller (10.46, facility record, 28^th in Division II).
 
Reeves also decisively won the 200 meter dash in 20.33 seconds (New Division II top time). Tudee placed second and Marvin Dure was fourth.
 
"You think, what a last two weeks this young man (Reeves) has had," Turgeon said. "It's just outstanding. If it wasn't for a slight 0.4 meters a second wind over, he would have the No. 1 time in the country in the 200 as well. I'm really looking forward to seeing what he can do at the National meet coming up."
 
Freshman Anthony Collins recorded NSIC and facility records when he posted a time of 50.75 for first place in 400 meter hurdles (third in Division II). Owen Petersohn was third for the Mavericks with a time of 53.21. McGee took second place in the 110 meter hurdle finals with a PR 13.98 time (10^th in Division II).
 
Friday, senior James Gilbert impressed again in long jump with a leap of 7.95 meters (w:+2.9) on his third attempt for first place. The mark was a season best and the second best mark in Division II during outdoor season. Teammate Shemar Miller was fourth (7.40m, 23^rd in Division II, personal best).
 
"James is really the leader of our jumps program. He was flirting with our school record 7.98," Turgeon said. "He broke the indoor record this season, which was a record Coach Schuck also talked to me about. I know he was so happy to see that one fall because he didn't want to outlive it. He came within an inch of breaking the school outdoor record yesterday and so we're looking forward to seeing what he can do at the national meet."
 
Discus throw went to senior Carter Aguilera, whose personal best mark was eighth best in Division II this season at 55.48 meters.
 
"Carter's been with me from the start," Turgeon said. "He was my first recruit and so to see him progress over the years to become one of the best throwers in the country, winning his second conference championship in the discus means a lot. He's just such a special person. It was a great honor for him to win the NSIC Outstanding Student Athlete Award because of what he does in the community and for our team."
 
Back on the track, Ray Ure placed eighth in the 5000 meter run (15:03.34) and Paul Lins managed second place with a personal record in 800 meters (1:53.92).
 
Men's Outdoor Track and Field was ranked No. 9 in this week's USTFCCCA Division II National Ratings Index. Next on the calendar is the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Emporia, Kansas May 23-25.
 
"We're going to have some rest because this was a big meet that drained everyone," Turgeon reflected. "We've been pushing them pretty hard but we'll have a couple days of rest and then start to gear up on Wednesday. Our men's and women's teams both made dramatic strides. We just needed weather. It will be interesting to see what our men's team will be ranked. Our big goal is to get to the top six or top eight on the men's side, then build from there because anything can happen at the national meet."