Storm men end second at Dutch Athletics Classic

PELLA, Iowa -- The Simpson men's and women's track and field teams competed in their first event of the new calendar year on Saturday, and finished second and ninth, respectively, as they performed at the Dutch Athletics Classic.

Mason Spree headlined the day for the Storm field events, as he was able to finish fourth in the weight throw to break the program record in the event with a 15.27-meter toss to top the previous mark of 15.2 meters set by Ross Parker in 2004. Spree also finished seventh in the shot put with a throw of 13.07 meters. Throwing alongside Spree was Caleb Striegel, who finished fourth in shot put and seventh in the weight throw.

The Storm runners were led by freshman Max Cleveland, who won his first collegiate event as a member of the Simpson track team in the 60-meter hurdles with a mark of 8.77 seconds. Cleveland was able to narrowly hold off teammate, Sam Adeniyi, who finished second at 8.82 seconds.

Simpson excelled in open events throughout the day, including second-place finishes by Quentin Linnan in the 600-meter race (1:25.53) and Spencer Moon in the mile (4:26.88). The Storm also had a pair of runners finish third in their respective events as Craig Garrison did so in the 300-meter dash (36.92) and Cale Billheimer in the 1000-meters (2:44.65). Carter Fricke finished fifth in the 60-meter dash and in the 300.

For the women, the Storm were led by their middle to long distance runners on the day. Abby Loecke finished second in the 1,000-meter dash with a mark of 3:34.59. Loecke also ran the anchor leg in the 4x400 meter race, and helped the Storm finish seventh at 4:36.07.

Simpson had a host of other members score team points in open events, including Mackenzie Laughlin's strong showing in the mile with a fourth-place nod at 5:44.36. Mackenzie Blomgren finished seventh in the 200-meters dash with a season-best 29.42, and Katelyn Mangold also finished seventh in the 300. Jamie Glanz finished seventh in the 600 and finished ninth in the high jump with a 1.42-meter leap.

Up Next
Simpson returns to the track at the Nebraska Wesleyan Invitational on Friday, Jan. 24.

Men's Meet Report
60 — 5. Carter Fricke, 7.15
300 — 3. Craig Garrison, 36.92 | 5. Carter Fricke, 38.44
600 — 2. Quentin Linnan, 1:25.53
1000 — 3. Cale Billheimer, 2:44.65 | 4. Clay Billheimer, 2:48.26
1600 — 2. Spencer Moon, 4:26.88 | 6. Ryan Courtney, 4:38.48
60 Hurdles — 1. Max Cleveland, 8.77 | 2. Sam Adeniyi, 8.82⼁5. Austin Greenwalt, 8.95⼁6. Elliott Meyer, 8.89
4x400 — 4. Craig Garrison, Quentin Linnan, Kellen Fitch, Carter Fricke, 3:35.55
High Jump — 6. Max Cleveland, 1.86m
Long Jump — 9. Carter Berkey, 6.44m
Triple Jump — 7. Carter Berkey, 12.33m
Shot Put — 4. Caleb Striegel, 14.1m | 7. Mason Spree, 13.07m
Weight Throw — 4. Mason Spree, 15.27m | 7. Caleb Striegel, 14.54m

Women's Meet Report
200 — 7. Mackenzie Blomgren, 29.42
300 —7. Katelyn Mangold, 47.16
600 — 7. Jamie Glanz, 1:59.01
1000 — 2. Abby Loecke, 3:24.59
1600 — 4. Mackenzie Laughlin, 5:44.36 | 7. Kyli Orr, 5:48.56
4x400 — 7. Katelyn Mangold, Jamie Glanz, Cat Lucht, Abby Loecke, 4:36.07
High Jump — 9. Jamie Glanz, 1.42m
Pole Vault — 8. Sarah Nolting, 2.15m

Team rankings 
Men — 2nd, 92.5 behind Central Methodist at 104.5
Women — 9th, 24 points