Men's Track and Field Saturday, March 28, 2026 NWC Athletic Communications

Strong Performances Propel Northwestern at Wildcat Classic

WAYNE, Neb. – Northwestern won several events at the Wildcat Classic, including a first-place result in the men's 200-meter dash by senior Braden Kalvelage with a time of 21.16 seconds. Notably, Kalvelage broke the outdoor 200m record during the performance.

The Raiders had an impressive showing with standout performances in multiple events. In the 200-meter, Braden Kalvelage secured first place with a time of 21.16, demonstrating dominance in his event and setting a new outdoor school record. Carson Van Sickle also excelled, winning the 800-meter with a time of 1:55.78. The 3000-meter steeplechase saw Alik McIlravy take first place, finishing in 10:44.20.

The relay teams also performed well, with the men's 4x400 meter relay team finishing in second place with a time of 3:29.64. In field events, Kalvelage continued to impress by claiming first place in the long jump with a leap of 7.56 meters. The men's pole vault saw Lane Johnson finish in third place with a height of 4.20 meters. Overall, the Red Raiders' athletes delivered strong performances across various events, contributing to a successful meet in what was Northwestern's outdoor season debut.

Sprints
Braden Kalvelage secured first place in the 200 Meter with a time of 21.16, breaking the school outdoor 200m record. Connor Slaba finished eighth in the 100 Meter, clocking in at 10.80.

Middle Distance
Carson Van Sickle won the 800 with a time of 1:55.78. Quinlan Rundquist came in eighth in the 1500 Meter Run, posting a time of 4:16.43.

Distance
Alik McIlravy achieved first place in the 3000 Meter Steeplechase with a time of 10:44.20. Brayden Dirks finished 10^th in the 5K, recording a time of 17:13.81.

Hurdles
Kalarga Mukhtar took first place in the 400 Meter Hurdles with a time of 57.48. Mukhtar also placed fourth in the 110 Meter Hurdles, finishing in 15.38.

Jumps
Braden Kalvelage won the Long Jump, achieving a distance of 7.56m for his second event win of the day. In the Pole Vault, Lane Johnson secured third place with a vault of 4.20m.

Throws
Kolby Hofer placed sixth in the Javelin Throw with a distance of 46.06m. Jacob Folkerts earned 12th place in the Discus, reaching 41.74m.

RAIDERS IN THE TOP 10/TOP 3 RELAYS
Braden Kalvelage – 1st; 200m (21.16)
Kalarga Mukhtar – 1st; 400m Hurdles (57.48)
Carson Van Sickle – 1st; 800m (1:55.78)
Alik McIlravy – 1st; 5000m (10:44.20)
Braden Kalvelage – 1st; Long Jump (7.56m)
Carson Engbers – 2nd; 5000m (11:08.88)
4x400m Relay – 2nd; 4x400m Relay (3:29.64)
Jake Huston – 3rd; 5000m (11:08.91)
Collin Bliven – 3rd; 400m Hurdles (57.79)
Lane Johnson – 3rd; Pole Vault (4.20m)
Men 4x100m Relay – 3rd; 4x100m Relay (42.20)
Kalarga Mukhtar – 4th; 110m Hurdles (15.38)
Tommy Tracy – 4th; 5000m (11:41.37)
Jordan Carter – 4th; Triple Jump (13.02m)
Dietrich Dirks – 4th; 800m (2:01.66)
Kolby Hofer – 6th; Javelin (46.06m)
Josiah McFarland – 6th; 110m Hurdles (15.73)
Drew Geetings – 7th; High Jump (1.87m)
Jackson Westerbur – 7th; Javelin (45.11m)
Jordan Carter – 7th; Long Jump (6.67m)
Connor Slaba – 8th; 100m (10.80)
Collin Bliven – 8th; 110m Hurdles (16.19)
Joshua Lewis – 8th; Javelin (44.32m)
Quinlan Rundquist – 8th; 1500m (4:16.43)
Brady Van Sickle – 10th; 800m (2:04.29)
Brayden Dirks – 10th; 5000m (17:13.81)
Max Matherly – 10th; Pole Vault (3.70m)

Up Next: The Raiders will return at the USD Early Bird event on Saturday, April 4. The competition is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. in Vermillion, S.D.

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

Carson Engbers: 6' 0"; Junior

Jacob Folkerts: 6' 5"; Junior

Drew Geetings: 6' 5"; Senior

Jake Huston: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Lane Johnson: 5' 11"; Junior

Braden Kalvelage: 6' 0"; Senior

Joshua Lewis: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Alik McIlravy: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Jordan Carter
: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Brayden Dirks
: 6' 1"; Senior

Carson Engbers
: 6' 0"; Junior

Jacob Folkerts
: 6' 5"; Junior

Drew Geetings
: 6' 5"; Senior

Jake Huston
: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Lane Johnson
: 5' 11"; Junior

Braden Kalvelage
: 6' 0"; Senior

Joshua Lewis
: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Alik McIlravy
: 6' 0"; Sophomore