The Dickinson State University (DSU) indoor track and field season starts this weekend. The stars are aligned.
The Athletes:
Dickinson State University track and field under head coach Pete Stanton has had a storied run in 13 seasons. Three NAIA outdoor national championships, All-Americans, and an Olympic Gold Medalist are on the short list.
This year's squad of Blue Hawks will keep the tradition alive with quality individuals and returning All-Americans on the women's and men's team.
The Women's Team:
Although, the women's roster hosts a smaller roster, there are some great individual athletes.
Haley's Comet:
Junior Hailey Schaper is a returning outdoor All-American in the high jump. Schaper is a well-rounded jumper who will also boast her talent in the long and triple jump. Schaper bested a 5'7 jump last season, her personal best.
Relays:
Juniors Shelby Snare and Marissa Stanton look to lead a much improved 4x400 meter relay team.
Sprints:
Mardee Clarke will be DSU's 100 and 200 meter dash specialist. Stanton will also provide depth in the 200 meters.
Hurdles:
Sophomore Ashley Farr is a returning hurdler that placed in several meets last season.
Distance:
Senior Vanessa Esquivel and sophomore Stormie Sickler will look to perform in a much improved women's distance group under distance coach Michael Nekuda.
Throws:
Senior stand-out Kim Shultz, a 3-time national qualifier in the javelin throw will be a strong point for DSU in the throws. Sophomore Jessica Dolechek is the shot-put ace for the Blue Hawks. Shultz will also compete in the discus.
Jumps:
Former triple jump All-American Jen Hartman will be coaching jumps this year for DSU. Schaper and Farr will be highlighting the long and triple events.
"Farr has made leaps and bounds. She was close to nationals in long jump," Stanton said.
The Men's Team:
Most of the men's roster returns after a top 20 finish at the national out door meet last season at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind. The Blue Hawks will look to rebuild in decathlon with the loss of All-American decathlete Trevor Willis. Tyler Schmidkunz has also graduated. Schmidkunz was a national qualifier in the throws.
A Star is Born:
Junior Nathan Magstadt was an All American as a sophomore in the 110 hurdles and the 400 hurdles.
"He has a tenacious work ethic and he is a great kid," Stanton said.
Sprints/ Relays:
Sophomore Fredrick Agbaje of Nigeria has the ability to be a national placer according to Stanton. Junior Jon Dinius was close to be a national qualifier in the 100 meter dash last season. Senior Josh Neumiller and junior Breyan Miller, a transfer from the University of Arizona will add more depth to provide a strong 4x100 relay team. This year there is depth in 4x400 with junior Corey gill, junior Myron Moore and Magstadt.
Hurdles:
As well as Magstadt, freshman Adrian Fisher will be tough in the hurdles.
Jumps:
There will be two returning All-Americans in jumps for the Blue Hawk. Andrew Knebel a 7'0 plus high jumper will look to repeat as an All-American indoor. Junior Brady Sundheim is a 49'7 best in the triple jump.
Throws:
Sam Herauf will return in the shot put. Athletic Cody Clausen will add his talents in the throws.
Distance:
Mid-distance is deep as it has ever been at DSU. Sophomore Dante Carter, junior Dustin Sandbak, sophomore Delano Lilly, and senior Chris Gill will lead the mid stance group. The 4x800 and the distance medley will be some events to look at for the indoor and outdoor season. Junior Dennis Patrick will look to run distances between the 1500 and 5,000 meters.
Transfer Jeffrey Segovia of Central Arizona Community College will run the 3000 and 5,000 meters as well. Sophomore Eddie Meneses described by Coach Nekuda as a good rhythm runner will the 3k and 5k for indoors and the 10 k (6.2 miles) this outdoor season.
The Schedule:
According to Coach Stanton the indoor season is a stepping stone to success for the outdoor season. Although, if athletes are in shape and ready to go they have a short window to qualify for national indoors from Feb 28 to March 2 in Geneva, Ohio. The indoor season kicks off at Saturday, Jan. 26's Dave Little Invitational in Spearfish, S.D. on the campus of Black Hills State.
The Bison Open on NDSU's Fargo campus will feature top notch NAIA and NCAA talent in the region. The outdoor season begins at the Black Hills Open in Spearfish, S.D. April 19 and May 9 will be DSU's two home track and field meets this year.
"It is exciting to host a meet at one of the best facilities in the country," Stanton said.
April 12's Sioux City Relays will be an intriguing opportunity with DSU's depth in the 4x100, 4x400, distance medley and 4x800 relay.
The Outlook:
"DSU has a great bunch of individuals who are fun to coach and they are hard working," Stanton said.
With no Frontier Conference meet, DSU will strive to meet their individual goals.
"Not everyone will be an All American. It is about making progress, setting individual goals and working toward the common goal to get better. "With a set of meets with strong completion the coaches look to reward them for the all their work," Stanton said.