MOORHEAD, MN (vcsuvikings.com) – Zachary Co won the shot put and Allyssa Weitkum set a new school record at the large Ron Masanz Track & Field Classic hosted by MSU-Moorhead on Saturday.
Weitkum finished the 3000 meter steeplechase in a school-record time of 12:25.05, shattering the previous record of 13:01.02 set by Kristina Fricke in 2019. Weitkum’s record time was good for sixth place at the Ron Masanz Meet, which featured competitors from several NCAA Division I and II schools. Weitkum’s time ranks her first in the NSAA this season by 42 seconds.
This is the 10th school record set by the VCSU track & field teams in 2021.
Zachary Co bested a field of 33 competitors to win the men’s shot put on Saturday. His winning mark of 16.93 meters (55’6.5″) was just off his personal best throw last week. Co also added a fourth-place finish in the discus.
In the men’s hurdles, Viking freshman Clay Kummer set a pair of personal records. Kummer placed third in the 400 hurdles with a personal-best time of 55.81 seconds. That is the second fastest time in school history – just off the record of 55.20 set by Lee Isakson in 1976 – and ranks him third in the NSAA this season. Kummer also set a new PR in the 110 hurdles, placed sixth on Saturday with a time of 15.79 seconds.
In men’s javelin, Kyle Odegard placed third with a top throw of 59.48 meters. Odegard currently ranks fifth in the NAIA and has qualified to compete at the NAIA National Meet in late May.
In men’s high jump, Alex Otto took fourth on Saturday after clearing 1.89 meters. Jayden Wheeling finished eighth in the 3000 meter steeplechase with a time of 11:52.49.
In women’s javelin, Peyton Halverson took sixth place with a top throw of 35.07 meters. Brooke Malsom took home two Top 8 finishes as well. Malsom placed fourth in the 200 meters, running a blistering 25.43 seconds. That is just .09 seconds off her school-record time from last week. Malsom also jumped 5.08 meters in long jump to place seventh.
Up next: Valley City State will compete at the Dickinson State Last Chance Meet on Thursday. It is VCSU’s final meet before the NSAA Conference Championships on May 13-14.
MSUM Ron Masanz Classic
Saturday, May 1 – Moorhead, Minn.
Top 8 Finishers – VCSU Men
110 Hurdles: 6. Clay Kummer, 15.79
400 Hurdles: 3. Clay Kummer, 55.81
3000 Steeplechase: 8. Jayden Wheeling, 11:52.49
High Jump: 4. Alex Otto, 1.89 meters
Shot put: 1. Zachary Co, 16.93 meters
Discus: 4. Zachary Co, 43.68 meters
Javelin: 3. Kyle Odegard, 59.48 meters
Top 8 Finishers – VCSU Women
200 Meters: 4. Brooke Malsom, 25.43
3000 Steeplechase: 6. Allyssa Weitkum, 12:25.05
Long Jump: 7. Brooke Malsom, 5.08 meters
Javelin: 6. Peyton Halverson, 35.07 meters