MANKATO, Minn. – Meet records fell and Minnesota State men's track and field cruised to early season top finishes Friday as they hosted four teams at the Bearson/Gathje Classic at Myers Field House.
 
It was the first meet for the Mavericks since the Chuck Petersen Open on December 7 and featured competition from Concordia-St. Paul, Winona State and Minnesota Duluth.
 
"It was great getting back into competition today," said director of track & field Mike Turgeon. "We were honored to have Lori Anderson (Bearson) in attendance, watching the meet named in her honor. Lori was a true pioneer for Maverick Track and Field. We saw the progress our team has made since December and welcomed new members who joined us this semester. We're excited to compete at the University of Iowa next weekend against some tough Big Ten competition."
 
Senior Jabez Reeves, who competed in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, assembled a first place 60 meter finals time of 6.74. His 200 meter time of 21.69 also topped the podium. Reeves teamed with Marvin Dure, Qai Hussey and Keaton Wattier to win the men's 4x400 meter relay in a time of 3:20.18.
 
Junior Jaden Howell won the men's 400 meters with a time of 49.76 while freshman Kaleb Foltz debuted with the top finish in the men's mile, completing the distance in 4:22.46.
 
Junior Adam Bohm finished first in the men's 3000 meters (9:03.56) and seniors Jalen McGee and Diego Sekiyama-Nava turned in NCAA qualifying times in the men's 60 meter hurdle prelims with a time of 8.02 (sixth in Division II) and 8.13 respectively. Sekiyama-Nava went one hundredth faster in the finals for second position (20^th in Division II).
 
The Mavericks' top men's finisher in high jump was senior Aiden Buendorf (1.96m, 6'5"), followed by sophomore Michael Meadowcroft (1.91m, 6'3.25"). Senior Alex Berg picked up where he left off in pole vault with a first place mark of 4.64 meters (15'2.75").
 
McGee was first in men's long jump at a distance of 7.49m (24'7", eighth in Division II). Sophomore Sheldon McNicholas impressed in men's triple jump with a first place jump of 14.50m (47'7", second in Division II). Dylan Gross held down men's shot put at 16.66 meters (54'8") with teammates Ben Wieser and Henry Warsaw second and third respectively. Liam Byrne won men's weight throw at 16.81m (55'2").
 
Minnesota State men's track and field is back in action Jan. 24-25 at the Larry Wieczorek Invitational, hosted by University of Iowa and the St. Olaf Invitational & Multi, hosted by St. Olaf.
 
The next home meet for the team is Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at the Mark Schuck Open & Multi.