MANKATO, Minn. – No. 5 Minnesota State men's track and field celebrated senior day and concluded its final tune-up before the NSIC Championships on Friday in the Maverick Open at Myers Field House. The Mavericks welcomed competition from 11 other schools.
 
On the track, Keaton Wattier set meet records in both 60 meter hurdles prelims and 60 meter hurdles finals. His first place finals time of 7.87 was a personal record and the fifth fastest time in NCAA Division II this season. Kenjuan Hampton took second for MSU with a time of 8.01, an NCAA qualifying mark.
 
Erek Ross led the field in the men's mile with a personal record time of 4:17.73. First place in 400 meters went to Marenono Opiew (50.14). Paul Lins also won the 800 meter event with a season best time of 1:54.43.
 
Tyreese James was a winner in the 200 meter sprint with a time of 22.12 and Luis Pfister was first to cross in 3000 meters with his time of 9:05.17. The day ended with the 4x400 meter relay and MSU's team of Quinton Ellis, Qai Hussey, Kenjuan Hampton and Tyrel Robinson set a new meet record with their time of 3:14.28.
 
In the field, Terrence Thomas found success with a mark of 13.44m (44-1.25) in triple jump. Blake Wakeling was at the top of five Maverick performances in pole vault at 4.98m (16-4.00). Noel Foellinger took second place with a height of 4.83m (15-10.00), which was 49^th in Division II this season.
 
Hugo Albanese led high jump with a mark of 2.02m (6-7.50), and a pair of Mavericks eclipsed the meet record in shot put. Hayden Bills continued his impressive season with a first place mark of 19.13m (62-9.25), second in Division II. Dylan Gross was second (17.93m, 58-10.00) with the 12^th best mark in Division II and Peyton Byrne took third with a mark of 16.49m (54-1.25), 43^rd in Division II.
 
Jackson McNulty placed second for the Mavericks in weight throw (18.17m, 59-7.50).
 
"It was a wonderful day celebrating our 42 seniors in our track and field program," said head coach Mike Turgeon. "We are beginning our taper as our student-athletes prepare for conference competition. Our staff is excited to have the entire team back together and competing as one next week as we look to defend our NSIC Indoor Conference Championship."
 
Minnesota State men's track and field is the host institution for the NSIC Indoor Championships on Feb. 27-28 at Myers Field House. The Mavericks secured their 14^th straight conference title last season after scoring 206.5 points.