Six Tech Track Records Fall on Friday

RESULTS: Raleigh Relays | Viking Olympics Day 1

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. and RALEIGH, N.C. — The Michigan Tech track and field teams set six school records today while a majority of the team competed at the Viking Olympics at Augustana College and a handful of athletes took part in the Raleigh Relays hosted by North Carolina State.

Sean Pengelly was one of the few in Raleigh, and he knocked 50 seconds off his own school record in the 10,000 meters. The sophomore turned in an NCAA Provisional time of 30:09.43, putting him fifth on the Division II list presently.

The five other school records that fell all came in seldom-run events which are not part of the competition program at the NCAA Championships. Nevertheless, it was a good start to the outdoor season for the Huskies' full squad.

The women's team was responsible for two of the new records. Ellaina Cook, Jamie Dompier, Lauren Raiford and Aimee Allen combined in the 4x200 meter relay for a time of 1:48.00 and second place (previous mark of 1:59.22 set in 2008). The same four teamed up in the 800 meter sprint medley relay for a 1:49.14 (previous record of 2:02.9 in 1985).

Men's school records were set in the distance medley, 4x200 and 4x800 relays. In the distance medley, Chad Pollock, Mike Tuski, Kyle Lawton and Calvin Nitz took first place by going 10:32.47, shattering the old record of 10:53.5 (1981).

Chad Brown, Casey Buckner, Jevon Maddox and Isaac Pringle posted a 1:30.88 for third place in the 4x200 (previous mark of 1:34.27 set in 2008). The 4x800 team of Corey Zeutzius, Zachary Westphal, Joshua Rzeppa and Benjamin Kramka posted an 8:02.58 for fourth (previous mark of 8:03.2 in 1986).

There were several other notable performances on the day. Bradon Kampstra won the 3,000 steeplechase with a time of 9:41.64. Derek Brandt  was third in the same event at 10:13.14.

Kyle Peterman took second in the discus with a toss of 156-5. In the pole vault, Erika Poli went 10-8 for third place on the women's side. Jake Jurkowski posted a height of 14-7.25 for fifth in the men's.

"I'm really proud of Sean and what's he's been able to do early in the season in putting down NCAA provisional marks," said Tech coach Joe Haggenmiller. "At Augustana, these were good events to get our season started. It's a little cold here, but reasonable conditions for late March."

Michigan Tech, which sits atop the men's team standings and is third in the women's after day one, will complete competition at the Viking Olympics tomorrow (Mar. 28).