UND Fighting Hawks Smash records at UND Tune-Up
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grand Forks, N.D. – The University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks concluded their regular season with a stunning victory at the UND Tune-Up, held Friday at the Pollard Athletic Center. The team’s performance was exceptional, resulting in four new school records, one tied program record, 14 event wins, and 16 improvements on the UND top-10 list. This notable showing sets the stage for the upcoming Summit League Indoor Championships.
The 800-meter races provided an early highlight. Jiri Ceska dominated the men’s event, winning with a time of 1:48.57. This not only secured him the title but also shattered the previous school record of 1:49.83, set by Alec Nelson at the 2024 David Hemery Valentine Invitational. Ceska’s performance also surpassed the UND Tune-Up meet record of 1:53.25, previously held by Josh Samyn of North Dakota State since 2021. His time now leads the Summit League.
Brooklyn Brouse mirrored Ceska’s success in the women’s 800-meter race, winning with a time of 2:12.60. This victory also broke the UND Tune-Up meet record of 2:13.68, set by Josie Hermann of Concordia-Moorhead in 2021, completing an 800-meter sweep for UND.
The Fighting Hawks continued their record-breaking streak in the 300-meter races, sweeping both the men’s and women’s titles.Jerzie Finstad led the way for the women, winning with a time of 38.17, surpassing her own previous record of 39.75 set at the 2023 UND Open. Jory Vasek secured the men’s title, clocking in at 34.09. This time not only broke Norm McGee’s long-standing record of 34.18, set at the 1987 North Central Conference Indoor Championships, but also improved upon vasek’s own Pollard Athletic Center facility record of 35.07, achieved at the 2023 UND Open. Vasek further showcased his speed, winning the 200-meter race with a personal record of 21.88, securing a No. 3 ranking on the UND top-10 list.
The 300-meter races saw a flurry of impressive performances. Following Vasek’s record-breaking run, P.K. Moore clocked the No. 3 time in school history at 34.79, followed by maverick Kneefe (35.09, No.4), Henry Nelson (35.43,no. 5), and Josh Neil (36.10, No. 10).
Malene Kollberg’s performance in the women’s long jump was equally remarkable. She achieved a leap of 19-11 1/2 (6.08m),shattering the program record of 19-7 1/2 (5.98m) previously held by Tiffanie Magnusson, set at the 2023 Summit League indoor championships.Kollberg also improved her No.4 time in the women’s 60-meter hurdles final, clocking in at 8.65.
In the women’s 60-meter hurdles,Marta Marksa tied the school record in the preliminary round with a personal-best time of 8.51, matching Erin Brown’s time from the 2020 Summit League Indoor Championships. Marksa finished second in the final with a time of 8.55. She also achieved a personal record in the women’s long jump, leaping 18-11 3/4 (5.78m),placing her No. 4 in school history.
Eve Goldstein contributed to the team’s success, winning the women’s weight throw with a toss of 57-4 3/4 (17.49m). She also secured second place in the shot put with a personal record of 48-9 (14.86m), ranking No. 4 on the UND top-10 list. The Fighting Hawks swept the shot put titles, with Kenna Curry winning the women’s event (50-7 1/4 (15.42m)) and Ethan Thomas winning the men’s event (57-10 1/4 (17.63m)). Carter Byron added another victory in the men’s weight throw with a mark of 57-0 3/4 (17.39m).
The women’s 60-meter and 200-meter races featured a close competition between teammates Porsha Miles and Nadia Evans. Miles edged out Evans in the 60-meter final (7.654 vs. 7.659), moving to No. 3 on the UND top-10 list with her personal record. Evans took the 200-meter title (24.40), while Miles still achieved a personal best of 25.14, improving her No. 9 time in UND history. Olivia correale won the women’s mile with a personal record of 4:54.46, moving to No. 8 on the UND top-10 list. Cruz Megazzini won the men’s 60-meter final with a personal-best time of 7.09, and Gabrielle Wahl secured the victory in the 3,000 meters with a time of 10:31.20.
The Fighting hawks will now focus on the summit league Indoor Championships in Brookings, South Dakota, this Friday and saturday.
north Dakota concluded the regular season on Friday by hosting the UND Tune-Up and came away with four school records and a tied program record. The Fighting Hawks also broke a pair of meet records and a facility record.
Breaking Records: UND Fighting Hawks Soar to New Heights at UND Tune-Up
In a stunning display of athletic prowess,the University of North Dakota (UND) Fighting Hawks have shattered expectations and records at the recent UND Tune-Up. How are these achievements setting a new standard for success not only within the university but also in collegiate athletics as a whole? Let’s dive into an interview with Dr. Alex Hartman, an expert in collegiate athletics and sports performance.
Introduction: A Staggering Performance at the UND Tune-Up
Editor: Dr. Hartman, congratulations to the UND fighting Hawks for their exceptional performance at the UND Tune-Up! Breaking four school records along with multiple event wins is no small feat. What do you think made this event such a standout success for UND?
Dr. Hartman: Thank you! I’m thrilled to discuss this remarkable showcase of talent and determination. What stands out here is the combination of individual skill, strategic readiness, and team synergy. The Fighting Hawks athletes have consistently shown their dedication thru rigorous training and a clear focus on personal and team enhancement, which has been crucial in setting such extraordinary records. Each athlete’s performance is a testament to their hard work and the thorough support system in place at UND.
Key Highlights from the Unprecedented Performance
800-Meter Domination
Editor: the 800-meter events were a highlight,with both Jiri Ceska and Brooklyn Brouse setting new records. Could you elaborate on what breaking these records signifies in the broader context of collegiate athletics?
Dr. Hartman: Certainly! Ceska and Brouse’s victories symbolize more than just personal achievements; they represent a significant advancement in the standards of collegiate 800-meter running. Ceska’s astounding time of 1:48.57 broke not just the school record but also led the Summit League. This sets a new benchmark for future athletes and fosters a competitive environment that encourages year-on-year improvement. Brouse’s feat in the women’s category similarly reshapes expectations and showcases the strength and depth of UND’s athletic programme.
300-Meter Thrilling Results
Editor: the 300-meter races were also full of record-breaking moments. Jerzie Finstad and Jory Vasek both shone brightly. How critically important are such events for the athletes’ advancement?
Dr.Hartman: The 300-meter race is crucial for developing speed and anaerobic capacity, essential for any sprinter’s success. Jory Vasek’s time of 34.09 not only broke the long-standing record but improved his personal best, indicating an upward trajectory in his athletic career. Such achievements not only boost an athlete’s confidence but also put them in contention for higher stakes competitions. It underscores the importance of continuous improvement and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Unrealized Potential in Other Events
Editor: Beyond sprinting, the women’s long jump and weight throw performances were stellar. What do Malene Kollberg’s and Eve Goldstein’s achievements tell us about the versatility required in collegiate athletics?
Dr. Hartman: Their performances are indeed a testament to the necessity of versatility among athletes. Kollberg’s leap of 19-11 1/2 surpassed previous records and emphasized the technical precision required in field events. Meanwhile, Goldstein’s accomplishments in both the women’s weight throw and shot put illustrate the importance of multi-event capabilities. It’s these all-round skills that frequently enough define an athlete’s career, opening up more opportunities and competitive scenarios for athletes to excel in.
Impact on the Summit League Indoor Championships
Editor: With these performances at the UND tune-Up, how does this momentum position the Fighting Hawks heading into the upcoming Summit League Indoor Championships?
Dr. Hartman: Momentum is everything in competitive sports. The UND Tune-Up has set a solid foundation for the students, instilling a sense of belief and capability. As they head to the Summit League indoor Championships, these athletes will carry the confidence and competitive fire earned through their recent successes. The key will be leveraging this momentum while maintaining focus and discipline in strategies as they face top contenders from across the league.
Long-Term Implications for UND and Collegiate Athletics
Editor: Looking at the broader picture, how do achievements like those at the UND Tune-Up impact UND’s athletics program and potentially reshape collegiate