MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State men's and women's track and field began indoor season with success at the Chuck Petersen Open Friday afternoon at Myers Field House. Men's track and field accumulated 276 points and finished atop a five-team field. MSU women's track and field posted 334 points, ahead of six other institutions.
 
"What a great start to the season," said head coach Mike Turgeon. "We kicked things off by hosting the Chuck Petersen Open, named after one of MSU's long-time great coaches, Chuck Petersen. This was truly one of the best season openers in school history for both our men's and women's teams. I've always used 2022 as the standard, and I genuinely feel this meet matched that level. Across all event groups, we saw outstanding performances."
 
Highlights included the Mavericks sweeping each of the top four spots in women's 60 meter hurdles. Preseason NSIC Track Athlete of the Year Ashanti Harvey led the field with a finals time of 8.41. Esaba Okwaramoi was right behind in 8.44.
 
In men's one mile run, Paul Lins impressed with a first place finish and set a meet record and personal best time of 4:17.54.
 
The Mavericks swept the podium in women's 400 meters, with Amalinally Pemberton out in front in a time of 58.45. Quinton Ellis impressed in men's 600 meters with a top time of 1:22.93 (meet record). Jayden Singleton also set a meet record in men's 200 meters with his time of 21.35.
 
"Our coaching staff is extremely pleased with how the fall has progressed and the quality of training our Mavericks have shown," Turgeon continued. "We'll now take a four-week break before returning to train together again in early January. We're really looking forward to hosting the Bearson/Gathje Classic on January 16th, where we'll be opening up a few more key pieces of our team."
 
Miranda Lauvstad picked up where she left off last spring and finished first in long jump, landing at 6.19m (20-3.75). Elvira Collvin also placed first in women's pole vault at a height of 3.87m (12-8.25). On the men's side, Collin Windorski went out at 5.07m (16-7.50) ahead of nine Maverick teammates.
 
Aubri Brown set a personal record and won women's shot put with a throw of 13.33m (43-8.75). Brown also won in weight throw. Hayden Bills turned in a meet record in men's shot put with a toss of 19.09m (62-7.75) and Jackson McNulty took the top spot in men's weight throw with a personal best 18.33m (60-1.75).
 
Ghada Hamdani kicked off her season in triple jump with a personal record and first place mark of 12.93m (42-5.25). Preseason NSIC Men's Field Athlete of the Year Sheldon McNicholas impressed in triple jump at 14.56m (47-9.25).
 
The Mavericks host the Bearson/Gathje Classic at Myers Field House on Jan. 16 before heading to the Larry Wieczorek Invitational Jan. 23-24 in Iowa City, Iowa. Both teams were picked to repeat as conference champions in this week's NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
Men's Team Results

1. Minnesota State (276)
2. Concordia-St. Paul (102.5)
3. Southwest Minnesota State (61.5)
4. Bethany Lutheran (18)
5. Minnesota Morris (7) 

Women's Team Results

1. Minnesota State (334)
2. Winona State (75)
3. Southwest Minnesota State (44)
4. Concordia-St. Paul (35)
5. Minnesota Morris (13)
6. Gustavus Adolphus (8)
7. Bethany Lutheran (1)