GREELEY, Colo. – The Black Hills University track and field teams took advantage of the gorgeous early spring weather and recorded four NCAA provisional qualifying marks across the track and field. Senior Jonah Theisen set the tone early, winning the steeplechase is 9:26.00. With the altitude conversion, that time converted under the provisional mark of 9:15.00 and moved him into the top 15 in the country. A few hours later, freshman Kayla Sawvell threw 45' 2.00" in the shot put to inch her way onto the national list. In the afternoon, Junior Tristan Hepp ran 52.54 in the 400m hurdles to move to fifth in the nation and broke his own school record. Finally, sophomore Allan McDonnell cleared 6' 8.75" in the high jump to make his way onto the national lists.

Competing against DI Schools like the University of Wyoming and University of Northern Colorado, the Yellow Jackets had some impressive finishes.

"It was excellent to see the provisional marks already and we had a lot of all-time school history improvements today," said head coach Seth Mischke. "This really set the tone as we move into the pivotal two weeks before the RMAC Championships."

Right behind Theisen in the steeple chase was junior Jake Iverson and Keith Osowski who took second and third, respectively. In the 800m, Jordan Theisen came off a double in the 1500m (where he finished fourth) to take third. In the grueling ten kilometer race, senior Nate Fredrick battled his way to third place. McDonnell's and Hepp's performances garnered them victories.

Tristan Hepp had a busy day where he, along with his brother Taylor Hepp, Garrett Snook, and Brian Kjerstad took second in the 4x400m relay and third in the 4x100m.

Joining Sawvell with an impressive throw was senior Alexandra Richards who tossed the javelin 127' 7.50" to win. In the pole vault, sophomores Jordyn Huneke and Whitney Scott both cleared 11' 10.25". Based on misses, Huneke tied for second, while Scott got fourth.

On the track, senior Tori Moore opened up in the steeplechase to take third. In the sprints, senior Shayna Soderstrom took third in both the 100m and 200m dash. That 200m time is just outside of number three all time at BHSU. Finally, junior Zoe Langseth held strong down the homestretch to take third in the 400m dash.

The team is back in action next weekend at the University of Colorado.