MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State welcomed seven schools to Mankato for the single-day Ted Nelson Classic on Saturday in indoor track & field at Myers Field House. Maverick student-athletes broke several meet records in the process. Next on the calendar is the Maverick Open on Friday, February 20, which will serve as the final tune-up prior to the NSIC Indoor Championships on Feb. 27-28 (Myers Field House).

Minnesota State men's track and field is ranked No. 5 in NCAA Division II.

"It was great having our team back together at home for the Ted Nelson Classic, named after former world-record holder Ted Nelson, a true pioneer of our program," said head coach Mike Turgeon. "We are starting our tapering process as we head into the championship portion of our season, and we are already seeing some performances start to break through. We are also looking forward to next Friday, when we will celebrate our 42 seniors with a special awards recognition."

Biruk Killeen and Luis Pfister turned in second and third place performances in 5000 meters for the Mavericks. Killeen crossed the line in 15:22.50 and Pfister had a time of 15:23.07. Jack Sorenson and Audi Thom also took second and third in one mile with times of 4:33.39 and 4:36.92, respectively.
 
Maverick sprinters took all eight of the top spots in 400 meters. Quinton Ellis led the group with a meet record time of 48.82. Tyrel Robinson was second (49.22) and Marenono Opiew was third (49.64).
 
Keaton Wattier led the field in 60 meter hurdle finals with a time of 7.94. Kenjuan Hampton was right behind in second (8.00).
 
Tyreese James took second and Hampton placed third for the Mavericks in 60 meter dash finals. James' time of 6.87 was a personal best.
 
Jon Owen topped the podium in 800 meters after he notched a time of 2:02.14. At 1000 meters, it was Jaden Miller in first with a personal best time, 2:32.67. Hampton set a meet record in 200 meters with a first place time of 21.79. Teammate Qai Hussey was second in 21.88.
 
In the field, Peyton Sanders was MSU's top finisher in long jump at a distance of 6.86m (22-6.25). Sheldon McNicholas won the triple jump competition with a mark of 15.48m (50-9.50). Abagotte Opiew took second when he landed at 15.02m (49-3.50).
 
Blake Wakeling led men's pole vaulters with a height of 5.11m (16-9.25). It was a personal record for the junior. Henry White was also second at 4.81m (15-9.25).
 
Mavericks took first and second in high jump. Hugo Albanese placed first with a height of 2.06m (6-9.00). Michael Meadowcroft finished at 2.01m (6-7.00).
 
Maverick throwers occupied the top four spots in shot put. Hayden Bills led the way with a meet record mark of 18.87m (61-11.00). Dylan Gross (17.42m, 57-2.00), Ben Wieser (16.31m, 53-6.25) followed for MSU.
 
Jackson McNulty was the top finisher in weight throw at a mark of 18.07m (59-3.50m). Wieser took third place (16.45m, 53-11.75).