Raiders Capture Three First-Place Finishes in Outdoor Debut

WAYNE, Neb. – On a warm and windy day on the track, Northwestern debuted its 2025 outdoor slate at the Wildcat Outdoor Classic.

Three Raiders took first place in their respective events in Carson Van Sickle, Ben VanDeBerg, and Mike Rodriguez. Rodriguez also placed second in the long jump and was a member of the third-place 4x400 team.

Jacob Shaffer finished second in the 5K behind his teammate VanDeBerg, while Alik McIlravy ran a 10:35.63 for second in his first collegiate outdoor meet. Drew Geetings found success in multiple events, placing second in the high jump and third in the javelin throw.

RAIDERS IN THE TOP-5
Carson Van Sickle – 1^st; 800m (1:58.03)
Ben VanDeBerg – 1^st; 5000m (16:38.48)
Mike Rodriguez – 1^st; Triple Jump (13.62m)
Jacob Shaffer – 2^nd; 5000m (18:04.25)
Alik McIlravy – 2^nd; 3000m Steeple (10:35.63)
Drew Geetings – 2^nd; High Jump (1.93m)
Mike Rodriguez – 2^nd; Long Jump (6.69m)
Heinz, Van Donge, Carter, Post – 2^nd; 4x100 (43.29)
Brayden Dirks – 3^rd; 5000m (18:04.29)
Coltin Vargas – 3^rd; High Jump (1.83m)
Drew Geetings – 3^rd; Javelin (49.81m)
Jordan Carter – 3^rd; Long Jump (6.55m)
Lane Johnson – 3^rd; Pole Vault (3.95m)
Plagge, Jensen, C. Van Sickle, Rodriguez – 3^rd; 4x400 (3:27.65)
Tyreece Wynne – 4^th; 100m (10.51)
P. Van Sickle, Tracy, Sudbeck, Langner – 4^th; 4x400m (3:41.34)
Grant Palmer – 5^th; 200m (21.69)
Landon Greve – 5^th; 5000m (18:53.11)
Elijah Weaver – 5^th; Javelin (47.74m)

Up Next: The Raiders will compete at the USD Early Bird in Vermillion, South Dakota next weekend.

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Players Mentioned

Brayden Dirks: Distance; 6' 1"; Junior

Drew Geetings: High Jump; 6' 5"; Junior

Lane Johnson: Pole Vault; 5' 11"; Sophomore

Grant Palmer: Sprints; 6' 2"; Junior

Jacob Shaffer: Distance; 6' 1"; Sophomore

Ben VanDeBerg: Distance; 6' 1"; Junior

Coltin Vargas: Mid-Distance; 6' 0"; Junior

Elijah Weaver: Multis/Hurdles; 6' 1"; Junior

Tyreece Wynne: Sprints; 5' 9"; Junior

Jordan Carter: 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Brayden Dirks
: 6' 1"; Junior
: Distance

Drew Geetings
: 6' 5"; Junior
: High Jump

Lane Johnson
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: Pole Vault

Grant Palmer
: 6' 2"; Junior
: Sprints

Jacob Shaffer
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: Distance

Ben VanDeBerg
: 6' 1"; Junior
: Distance

Coltin Vargas
: 6' 0"; Junior
: Mid-Distance

Elijah Weaver
: 6' 1"; Junior
: Multis/Hurdles

Tyreece Wynne
: 5' 9"; Junior
: Sprints

Jordan Carter
: 5' 9"; Freshman