Feb. 3, 2001

Results

VERMILLION, S.D. - Several South Dakota men's and women's track and field athletes had strong performances, including a number of personal bests, at the Graphic Edge Alumni Open held at the DakotaDome on Saturday. More than 700 athletes from 18 schools competed at the meet.

Two South Dakota women pole-vaulters had personal bests at the meet. Sandy Pelkofer (Rapid City, S.D.) had a personal best of 12'0 while Becca Gross (Aberdeen, S.D.) went 11'9. Also taking first place honors for the South Dakota women was Sarah Hoffman (Mitchell, S.D.), who ran a 1:18.20 in the 500-meter dash and Patricia Goertz (Cheyenne, Wyo.), who was first in the 1,000 meter run in 3:01.09. Molly Wedel (Spencer, Iowa) took the honors in the 5,000 meter run in 17:10.27 and teammate Jen Feely (Fairmont, Minn.) finished second in 17:27.54.

Chad Rohde (Watertown, S.D.) led the South Dakota men by capturing the long jump in 22'08 and finishing second in the triple jump in a personal best of 49'02. He finished behind two-time national champion Steve Gordon (50'07), who was competing unattached. Ronnie McDougle (Pompano Beach, Fla.) was first in the 55-meter dash in 6.51 and was second in the 200-meter dash in 22.19. Ryan Finley (Omaha, Neb.) finished first in the 200-meter dash in 21.96. Eric Van Laecken (Parkston, S.D.) was first in the 500-meter dash in 1:06.35. Paul Brozik (Winner, S.D.) won the high jump in 6'8 and Bill Gassen (Rapid City, S.D.) won the shot put at 50'0.