STORM LAKE, Iowa – The Northwestern men's track and field team opened up their outdoor season on Saturday, March 26 at the BVU Early Bird Invitation. Like the women, the men also took home first-place as a team. The distance runners had a successful day at the Wayne State Outdoor Invite.

"I was proud our efforts on Saturday in less than ideal conditions. The temps were 30-36 degrees on the day with a steady NNW wind at 16-18mph," said head coach Scott Bahrke. "It was great to have the sun out the whole time! Our team was happy to be competing again!"

The day included first place finishes in nine out of 18 events for the men's squad. James Gilbert Jr. (Jr., Orlando, Fla./Edgewater) set meet records in two different events – long jump (6.98m) and 100m (11.07). 
In Wayne, Neb., at the Wayne State College Outdoor Invite, distance runners of Levi Cross (32:46.58), Dawson Jacobsma (33:16.43), and Ian Wiersma (33:22.80) had 1-2-3 finishes in the 10,000-meter run for the Red Raiders to open the outdoor season.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Raiders swept the top-7 places for the 100m dash with Gilbert, Kyler Vander Velde, and Daniel Strand leading the pack.
• Seven Raiders had first-place finishes at the event including Gilbert (100m dash/meet record and long jump/meet record), Vander Velde (200m dash), Wyatt Pryor (400m dash), Bryce Paulsen (400m hurdles), Lorenzo Jones (triple jump), Ben Thelander (javelin throw), and Aaron Shepard (high jump).
• The 4x400m relay team placed first with a time of 3:27.24, which featured Jake Davies, Mitch Oostra, Trey Englmann, and Pryor.
• Jones' 13.99m mark in the triple jump set the BVU facility record.
• Carter Brouwer (400m hurdles), Englmann (800m), Joseph Kunert (1500m), Alex Nonhof (5000m), and Joe Callahan (Discus throw) all picked up second place finishes at the early bird invite.

Up Next: The Raiders will head to Sioux Center for the Dordt Outdoor Invite on Saturday, April 2.