Track & Field | 5/8/2026 8:05:00 PM

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota State Moorhead track & field embarked on its first day of competition at the NSIC Outdoor Championships on Friday. Several Dragons earned spots in Saturday finals while a multitude collected podium finishes. 

Sprints/Hurdles

Nasir Dilworth would finish eighth in the preliminary heats of the 110m hurdles. Dilworth earned a spot in tomorrow's final heat behind a sprint of 14.66. That time is a season best and ranks seventh all-time in MSUM history. Ahniesha Presulme (15.05) would place 15^th on the women's side for MSUM. In the men's 400m hurdle preliminaries, Dylan Harris would place 15^th overall behind a time of 56.64

Brandon Pemberton secured a spot in the men's 100m finals tomorrow behind a 10.66 sprint in the preliminaries. Isaiah Tandoh (10.90) would place 20^th in preliminary action. Cipriana Jones (12.32) would place 15^th for the Dragon women. 

Pemberton would also qualify for Saturday's 200m finals, finishing fifth in the preliminary heats with a time of 21.44. Jones would lead the Dragon women in the same sprint, marking a 25.35. In the women's 400m prelims, Christalea Wagner (58.47) and Liv Birkeland (59.90) would place 12^th and 17^th respectively. 

Jumps/Vaults

Allysah Larson would narrowly miss All-NSIC distinction with a strong performance in women's long jump. Larson had a top attempt of 19-00.75 (5.81m) which is a new personal best. The leap also placed Larson fourth all-time in MSUM history, becoming just the fourth woman to jump 19-0 or more outdoors. 

Hunter Petersen claimed podium marks for the Dragons in women's high jump. Petersen concluded her career with a fifth-place finish, clearing 5-04.5 (1.64m). On the men's side, Tate Rasmussen (1.97m) would place 11^th. 

Noah Novotny and Nicholas Huss would finish in a tie for 11^th in men's pole vault. Both competitors cleared 14-04 (4.37m). For Novotny, the mark is a new outdoor personal best. 

Throws

Kiley Kranz would lead Moorhead in shot put, placing sixth overall for the Dragon women. Kranz had a top throw of 44-01.5 (13.45m) for the finish. Additionally, Hailey Neumann (12.59m) and Avah Cotton (12.41m) would register new personal bests. Neumann's mark of 41-03.75 now ranks eight all-time in MSUM history. 

Justin Jacobson would place 10^th in the shot put on the men's side. The sophomore held a top mark of 51-04.25 (15.65m). Jacobson would also place sixth in hammer throw behind a heave of 175-01 (53.37m). Jack Stewart (47.67m) would place 13th in the same event for Moorhead. 

Distance

Chase Hoechst would earn sixth-place marks for the Dragons in the men's 10,000m run. Hoechst clocked a time of 31:38.47 to collect the placement. Senior James Dorado would place 10^th behind a time of 32:17.47. Luke Buentello (32:22.79) and Seth Meikle (33:15.48) would each set personal bests, placing 12^th and 15^th respectively. 

In the men's 3000m steeplechase, Janis Riekstins would turn in a career effort for Moorhead. Riekstins finished fifth overall with a personal best time of 9:42.94. The time tops the junior's previous best by nearly 10 seconds. 

The Dragons would qualify three competitors for tomorrow's 800m finals, led by Jared Gregoire. The redshirt junior placed runner-up in the preliminary heats, marking a season best 1:52.55. Jadon Boots (1:53.42) and Colin O'Farrell (1:53.48) would also qualify for Saturday's final. 

The NSIC Outdoor Championships wrap up tomorrow with events beginning at 10 a.m.