BISMARCK, N.D. — The Mike Thorson Alumni Classic held Dec. 5–6 in Bismarck provided an important opening test for the Dickinson State Blue Hawks indoor track and field squad. The Blue Hawks posted several strong individual performances as the program ramps up toward conference and national competition.
On the women's side, Junior Faith Brennan advanced to the 60-meter final and placed sixth in 7.97. In the 60-meter hurdles, Brennan claimed first place for DSU with a time of 8.95.
In the 800 meters, sophomore Mia Handran led the Blue Hawks with a winning run of 2:22.07. The women's 4×400 relay quartet of Handran, freshman Mady Willis, junior Loli Jarrett and senior Natalie Lile delivered a 4:24.34 clocking. On the field, senior Kori Nagel powered the shot put with a mark of 15.10 meters, followed by senior Alician Parks at 13.36 and sophomore Codi Nagle at 12.90. In the high jump, senior Adarra Hagelund cleared 1.72 meters to win the event.
Other notable women's results included sophomore Jane Harrison running a 29.91 in the 200 meters final, and in the long jump junior Faith Brennan took second with a 5.55-meter leap. In the weight throw, sophomore Klaire Gunderson registered 14.67 meters and senior Parks added a 14.44 mark in what proved to be strong field-event day for the Hawks.
The men's squad also logged solid efforts. In the 200 meter dash, senior Mustafa Taylor placed third with a 22.69. Freshman Ryan Nansel took eighth in that same final at 24.03, and freshman Joey Yadon finished 11th at 24.54. In the 800 meters, senior Hudson Atkinson and sophomore Eli Heacock ran 2:02.07 and 2:03.43, respectively, to place first and second. Freshman Kyler Holinde added a seventh-place finish at 2:14.60.
In field events, with shotput, senior Dylan Dahlgren threw 15.40 meters, while sophomore Ty Bennick added 15.18 and freshman Maxx Lee reached 14.96. In pole vault, sophomore Holden Will cleared 4.15 meters for first place in that event. The men's 4×400 relay team of Atkinson, Jarett Schuchard, Cole Kukuchka and freshman Ethan Hendrickson posted a 3:39.62 finish, placing second.
