Feb. 23-24, 2001

Friday's Results | Saturday's Results

VERMILLION, S.D. - Ryan Finley and Sara Deckert had record-breaking performances to highlight a superb effort by South Dakota men's and women's track and field squads at the North Central Conference Track and Field Championships held at the DakotaDome on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-24. Overall eight records were set at the NCC championships.

North Dakota State men's and women's team defended their team titles at the NCC championships. The North Dakota State men rolled up a record 223.5 points to edge the South Dakota men, who had a team-record 217 points. South Dakota State was third with 77.5 points (see results for other team totals). NDSU women's team rolled up 192.5 points to win the women's team title. Nebraska-Omaha was second with 132.5 points while South Dakota had 129 points.

Finley (Omaha, Neb.) set a record in the 200-meter dash, winning the event in 21.42. Finley's performance broke the DakotaDome (21.43) and NCC record (21.53) held by Lionel McPhaull of South Dakota in 1997. Finley also captured the 400-meter title in 48.01.

Deckert (Doland, S.D.) set records in both the 200-meter and 400-meter events. Deckert, who won her third straight NCC title in the 200 meters, had a 24.41 clocking to break the DakotaDome mark of 24.61 of Angie Henry (unattached) in 1998. With a 55.03 clocking in the 400-meter dash, Deckert broke the NCC record of Tamara Widley-Brudy of NDSU, who had a 55.37 in 1999. Deckert also captured second place in the 55-meter dash (7.16). The Coyotes' Sandy Pelkofer broke the NCC meet record in the pole vault, going 12'0 to capture the title. She broke the record that she and Jodi Tarasewicz, St. Cloud State, set in 2000 (11'3).

Tonya Kneifl (Newcastle, Neb.), captured an NCC title in the high jump, 5'07.25. She was also fourth in the long jump (18'09) and the 55-meter low hurdles (8.32). Brianne Vette (Spearfish, S.D.) was second in the pentathlon with 3,232 points while Sarah Hoffman (Mitchell, S.D.) was third in the pentathlon with 3,21 points. Patricia Goertz (Cheyenne, Wyo.) was third in the 800-meter run (2:16.62). and Aimee Dunlop (Woodbine, Iowa) was fourth in the 1,000 meter run (3:02.94). Sarah Menghini (Omaha, Neb.) was third in the 55-meter dash.

Titlists for the men's team included Adam Lindahl (Eden Prairie, Minn.), 3000-meter run (8:4536), Jason Probasco (Woodbine, Iowa), 5000-meter run (15:03.30) and the Coyotes 4x400 meter relay team (3:17.52). Noah Deyo (Rapid City, S.D.) finished second in the 5000-meter run (15:07.75) while Paul Brozik (Winner, S.D.) was second in the long jump (23'03.25) , third in the high jump (6'07) and third in the pentathlon with 3,491 points. Dean Gillen (Black Hawk, S.D.) was third in the weight throw (56'01.25) and John Kehoe (Rapid City, S.D.) was third in the 800-meter run (1:53.14).

NCC Championship Tidbits

North Dakota State men's and women's teams defended their NCC titles. The men's total of 223.5 broke their own record of 199 points set in 2000.

Double Winners

Ryan Finley, South Dakota, 200 meters (21.42) and 400 meters (48.01)

Rob Rentschler, NDSU, triple jump (49'11.75), long jump (23'04.50)

Sara Deckert, South Dakota, 200 meters (24.41), 400 meters (55.03)

Becky Leppard, North Dakota, One Mile Run (4:58.36), 3,000 meter run (10:03.09)

Three-Time Champions

Sara Deckert, South Dakota, 200 meters - 1999 (25.13), 2000 (24.72), 2001 (24.41)

Becky Leppard, North Dakota, 3,000 meters - 1999 (10:10.77), 2000 (10:11.69), 2001 (10:03.09)

Records

Men:

200-meter dash - Ryan Finley, South Dakota, 21.42 (broke the DakotaDome, 21.43, and NCC record, 21.53, held by Lionel McPhaull, South Dakota, 1997)

Women:

55-meter low hurdles: Meredith Davis, Morningside, 7.95 (broke NCC record of Darcy Seibels, South Dakota, 8.06, 1991). Davis now as automatically qualified for the NCAA Indoor Meet and owns the second best time in NCAA Division II this year.

200-meter dash: Sara Deckert, South Dakota, 24.41 (broke the DakotaDome record, Angie Henry, unattached, 24.61, 1998)

400-meter dash: Sara Deckert, South Dakota, 55.03 (broke NCC record of Tamara Wigley-Brudy, NDSU, 55.37, 1999). Deckert's mark is the third best in NCAA Division II this season and automatically qualifies for the NCAA Division II meet.

5,000 meter run: Allison Lind, South Dakota State, 17:22.03 (broke NCC record of Kiri Johnson, 17:24.77, 1993). Lind's time is 12th best in NCAA Division II.

Pole Vault: Sandy Pelkofer, South Dakota, 12'0 (broke NCC meet record of Jodi Tarasewicz, St. Cloud State, Sandy Pelkofer, South Dakota, 11'3, 2000). Both Crystal Pautzke of St. Cloud State (11'08) and Jodi Tarasewicz (11'04.25), who finished second and third, respectively, also broke the NCC mark of 11'3. Pelkofer has the fourth best jump in NCAA Division II.

Weight Throw: Diandra Bauer, NDSU, 61'11 (broke her own NCC record of 60'00.75 set in 2000 and the DakotaDome mark of 55'10 set by Brandy Echternach of South Dakota in 1999).

4x800 meter relay: NDSU, 9:18.91 (broke the 1999 record of North Dakota, 9:31.42)