Men's Track and Field Saturday, January 31, 2026 NWC Athletic Communications

Raiders Excel in Men's Events at Concordia Classic

SEWARD, Neb. – Northwestern dominated the men's events at the 2026 Concordia Classic, snagging top honors in the 5000 meters and long jump, and 4x400m relay. Freshman Caleb Tofteland dashed to victory with a time of fifteen minutes and 18.51 seconds, while senior Braden Kalvelage soared to a school-record mark of 7.62 meters.

Sprints
In the Men's 60 Meters, Connor Slaba claimed fourth with a time of seven seconds flat, while Vance Hayenga-Johnson took eighth in 8.97 seconds. The Men's 200 Meters saw Grant Palmer blaze to first in 22.23 seconds, with Mike Rodriguez following in second at 22.47 seconds and Damon Bye in fourth at 22.60 seconds.

Middle Distance
Carson Van Sickle raced to second place in the Men's 800 Meters, clocking in at 1:53.70. Quinlan Rundquist secured third in the Men's 1000 Meters with a time of 2:34.48.

Distance
Tofteland triumphed in the 5K with his impressive 15:18.51 finish, while Ben VanDeBerg followed in second at 15:47.24. Brayden Dirks rounded out the top six with a time of 16:44.95.

Jumps
Kalvelage's stellar jump of 7.62 meters earned him first place in the Long Jump, with Rodriguez taking third at 6.83 meters. Kalvelage's mark was good for the school record and first in the NAIA. Drew Geetings tied for fifth in the High Jump, clearing 1.89 meters.

Throws
Daniel Greenlee placed fifth in the shot put with a throw of 14.14 meters, while Jacob Folkerts finished seventh at 14.10 meters. Folkerts also claimed 12th in the weight throw, reaching 14.45 meters.

Relays
The Raiders dominated the 4x400 relay, capturing first in 3:20.00. They also took second in the 4x800 relay with a time of 7:52.05.

Heptathlon
Representing the Raiders in the heptathlon, Jonah Norton and Jackson Westerbur finished 12th and 13th, tallying 3167 and 2737 points, respectively.

PODIUM FINISHES
- 200 Meters — Palmer, 22.23; Rodriguez, 22.47
- 5000 Meters — Tofteland, 15:18.51; VanDeBerg, 15:47.24
- Long Jump — Kalvelage, 7.62 meters; Rodriguez, 6.83 meters
- 4 x 400 Relay — Kalvelage, Slaba, Ashley, Palmer, 3:20.00
- 4 x 800 Relay — B. Van Sickle, D. Dirks, Van Der Werff, C. Van Sickle, 7:52.05

RESULTS SUMMARY
- 60 Meters— 4th: Slaba, 7.03; 8th: Hayenga-Johnson, 8.97
- 200 Meters — 1st: Palmer, 22.23; 2nd: Rodriguez, 22.47; 4th: Bye, 22.60
- 400 Meters — 13th: James Heinz, 51.76; 18th: Jordan Carter, 52.41
- 600 Meters — 22nd: Dietrich Dirks, 1:27.03; 23rd: Brady Van Sickle, 1:27.29; 25th: Mukhtar, 1:29.17
- 800 Meters — 2nd: Carson Van Sickle, 1:53.70
- 1000 Meters — 3rd: Rundquist, 2:34.48; 9th: Ian Van Der Werff, 2:40.84; 17th: Tommy Tracy, 2:45.72
- Mile — 18th: Parker Engel, 4:39.78; 39th: George Livingston, 4:59.34
- 5000 Meters — 1st: Tofteland, 15:18.51; 2nd: VanDeBerg, 15:47.24; 6th: Brayden Dirks, 16:44.95
- 4 x 400 Relay — 1st: Kalvelage, Slaba, Ashley, Palmer, 3:20.00; 7th: Bliven, Mukhtar, McFarland, Tracy, 3:33.15
- 4 x 800 Relay — 2nd: B. Van Sickle, D. Dirks, Van Der Werff, C. Van Sickle, 7:52.05
- Long Jump — 1st: Kalvelage, 7.62 meters; 3rd: Rodriguez, 6.83 meters; 10th: Slaba, 6.36 meters

Up Next: Northwestern is back in action next weekend at the Wayne State Open.

Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut

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Players Mentioned

Jordan Carter: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Brayden Dirks: 6' 1"; Senior

Parker Engel: 5' 11"; Sophomore

Jacob Folkerts: 6' 5"; Junior

Drew Geetings: 6' 5"; Senior

Vance Hayenga-Johnson: Junior

James Heinz: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Braden Kalvelage: 6' 0"; Senior

George Livingston: 5' 11"; Sophomore

Grant Palmer: Sprints; 6' 2"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Jordan Carter
: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Brayden Dirks
: 6' 1"; Senior

Parker Engel
: 5' 11"; Sophomore

Jacob Folkerts
: 6' 5"; Junior

Drew Geetings
: 6' 5"; Senior

Vance Hayenga-Johnson
: Junior

James Heinz
: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Braden Kalvelage
: 6' 0"; Senior

George Livingston
: 5' 11"; Sophomore

Grant Palmer
: 6' 2"; Senior
: Sprints