IOWA CITY, Iowa – Minnesota State track and field was in Iowa City this week for the Larry Wieczorek Invitational, held Friday and Saturday at the Iowa Indoor Track Building. Minnesota State student-athletes posted several winning events, pitted against 15 institutions from multiple NCAA levels.

"Competing at the University of Iowa is always a meet that our team looks forward to each year," said head coach Mike Turgeon. "Facing Big Ten programs closely mirrors the level of competition we expect to see at the national championships. It also gives our athletes valuable opportunities to compete on a banked track and allows our jumpers to get comfortable on raised runways."

Junior Marenono Opiew clocked a winning 600 meters with a time of 1:22.67, just ahead of teammate freshman Logan Weninger (1:22.84).
 
In 200 meters (college), freshman Tyrel Robinson placed fifth with a time of 22.34. Senior Keshaun Black posted the top time of 21.40 in 200 meters (premier), eighth fastest in NCAA Division II this season.
 
In the field, Jackson McNulty led weight throw with a 13^th place mark at 17.62m (57-9.75). Hayden Bills took first among attached student-athletes in shot put with a toss at 18.47m (60-7.25). Hugo Albanese tied for sixth in high jump with a mark of 1.98m (6-6.00). In long jump, junior Terrance Thomas finished fourth at 7.18m (23-6.75).
 
Tyrel Robinson posted a third place time of 49.58 in 400 meters for the Mavericks on Saturday. Keshaun Black set an NCAA qualifying mark with a third place time of 6.70 in 60 meter dash prelims (sixth in Division II). Black ran two NCAA positions better in the finals with a fifth place time of 6.66.
 
Quinton Ellis ran to fourth in 400 meters with a time of 48.72 (47^th in NCAA Division II). Qai Hussey was also sixth.
 
Paul Lins helped the Mavericks in middle distance with an eighth place finish of 1:55.53 (95^th in NCAA Division II).
 
Setting a personal record and No. 3 time in Division II in 60 meter dash finals was senior Rinaldo Moore for MSU (7.90). Kenjuan Hampton was right behind Moore in fifth (8.01).
 
In triple jump, Sheldon McNicholas was third with a mark of 14.73m (48-4.00).

"We're looking ahead to next weekend when our entire team will compete at the annual Mark Schuck Open & Multi," Turgeon said. "We're excited to welcome a large group of alumni back to Myers Field House as the Mavericks take on 20 other teams next Friday and Saturday."

The Mavericks continue indoor track and field season when they host the Mark Schuck Open & Multi at Myers Field House Jan. 30-31.