Track and field athletes make final push for nationals Thursday
The Simpson men's track and field team will send nine student-athletes to the Augustana Midwest Twilight Qualifier on Thursday, May 18 to polish their resume for outdoor nationals.
As the season turns to the home stretch, the Storm boast six events in the hunt for a berth at nationals. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know for the coming week.
Remember, in order to qualify for nationals, an event needs to be ranked in the top 20 nationally in an individual event and in the top 16 in a relay.
Who's in
Isaac Frazier (decathlon), Dylan Kalinay (110 hurdles)
Frazier assured a spot in the field with last weekend's performance at the IIAC Championship, moving up to eighth in the country. He scored 6,455 points to win the conference title. Kalinay posted the nation's fifth-fastest time at the MUSCO Twilight on April 22, but has battled a hamstring injury as of late. He posted the top qualifying time at the IIAC Prelims but sat out the final as a precautionary measure.
Who's on the fence
Jordan Coughenour (400 hurdles), Chase Wetterling (400 meters), 4x400 relay
If he is unable to lower his season-best 53.38 in the 400 hurdles, Coughenour still feels good about his chances to qualify. He is currently 15th in the nation. Wetterling likely needs to cut some time in the 400, as he currently owns the second-to-last spot in the national meet. The Storm's 4x400 has been among the best in the nation all season and is currently 14th if you take duplicate entries out of the equation. But the foursome of Wetterling, Pearson, Tupper and Coughenour will likely need to break 3:15.00 to have a chance.
Who has work to do
4x100 relay
Despite a school-record performance at the IIAC Championships last Saturday, the Storm's 4x100 relay of Nissen, Wetterling, Tupper and Tufte sits 31st in the country, 24th without duplicate entries. If the group continues to make strides, they will put themselves in the hunt.
Who's competing at Augustana
Jordan Coughenour (400 hurdles, 4x400), Zach Nissen (4x100), Matt Pearson (4x400), Isaiah Strong (high jump), Tate Tufte (4x100), Travis Tupper (4x400, 4x100) Chase Wetterling (400, 4x400), Kirk Wicks (400), Keagan Zwiefel (200)
Current Rankings on Division III Performance List
Dylan Kalinay — 110 hurdles | 5th | 14.30
Isaac Frazier — Decathlon | 8th | 6,455
Jordan Coughenour — 400 hurdles | 15th | 53.38
Chase Wetterling — 400 meters | 19th | 48.09
4x400 relay — Wetterling/Pearson/Tupper/Coughenour | 18th | 3:15.38
4x100 relay — Nissen/Wetterling/Tupper/Tufte | 31st | 41.68
