DICKINSON, N.D.- The Blue Hawks dominated at the Frontier Conference Championships meet, bringing home both men's and women's Indoor Track and Field Frontier Conference Championships. The men's side scored a total of 134.5 points, and the women scored a total of 144 points. Along with the championships, Faith Sullivan-Brennan and Ty Leischner won Field Athlete of the Meet and Head Coach Shayne Wittkopp won Coach of the Year for both men's and women's teams for the Frontier Conference.
Faith Sullivan-Brennan won the Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Meet, totaling 26 points in the field for the team. She competed in the 60 meters, running at 8.05, the 60-meter hurdles, running at 8.95, placing 2nd. She also participated in high, long, and triple jump, placing 1st in triple jump (11.87 meters) and placing top five in both high jump (5th) and long jump (3rd). She also placed 3rd in the pentathlon, with 3269 points.
Ty Leischner won the Men's Indoor Field Athlete of the Meet, totaling 23 points in field events for the team. He competed in pole vault with a height of 4.75 meters, placing 1st. Also competed in high and triple jump as well, earning top 10 finishes in both events. He jumped 1.94 meters in high jump, following a 3rd place finish and jumping 13.15 meters in triple jump.
There were multiple athletes at the Frontier Conference Championships that helped Dickinson State claim the title. On the women's side, there were three athletes that placed first. Adarra Hagelund competed in high jump, jumping 1.76 meters, matching the school record she recently set. Faith Sullivan-Brennan jumped 11.87 meters in triple jump. On the throws side, Kori Nagel competed in shot put (15.40 meters) and weight throw (19.40 meters), winning both for the hawks. Nagel also broke DSU school's record for both shot and weight throw. On the men's side, Caleb Sarsland ran a 4:15.80, earning a 1st place finish. Ty Leischner won in pole vault at 4.75 meters. Kohbe Smith jumped 6.91 meters. Dylan Dahlgren also broke the school record in the weight throw with his mark of 19.29 meters. All these athletes placed first in their respective events.
There were multiple Blue Hawks that also received All Conference awards. These athletes had to place in the top three of their events to receive these honors.
Dickinson State Frontier Conference Indoor Track and Field Champion of Character honors were awarded to Alician Parks and Dylan Dahlgren. Alician Parks is from Watford City, N.D., majoring in English. Head coach Shayne Wittkopp said "Alician is one of the kindest humans you'll ever meet. She is a constant source of positive energy. Her progress on the track has been amazing and is a tribute to all her hard work." Dylan Dahlgren is from Soldotna, AK and is majoring in business. Head coach Shayne Wittkopp said "Dylan quietly goes about being one of the hardest workers on the team. He's made tremendous progress in athletics while being an outstanding student." Both these athletes will be competing at nationals as well.
With the team sweep, multiple individual event titles and major conference honors, the Blue Hawks delivered one of their most complete performances of the indoor season. Dickinson State combined depth, consistency and record-breaking efforts to separate from the field on both the men's and women's sides. As the postseason continues, the Frontier Conference Championships serve as a strong statement for the Blue Hawks, who carry momentum, confidence and championship pedigree into the next stage of competition.
The Blue Hawks will conclude their season with NAIA Indoor Track and Field Nationals in Gainesville, Florida, March 5th – March 7th.
