(Findlay, OH) Concordia men's track and field launched the indoor season at the Oiler Open hosted by Findlay University on Friday in Findlay, Ohio.
The Cardinals saw multiple personal records and national qualifying marks in a meet featuring strong NCAA DII competition.
Leading the men's squad to success was senior thrower Richard Branch (Detroit, MI). Branch went on to throw a personal best of 13.21m in the shot put, qualifying for the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) indoor championships meet. Branch also went on to throw 11.88m in the weight throw. Junior Zachary Belinsky (Beluah, MI) also punched his ticket to NCCAA nationals with a personal best toss of 12.95m in the weight throw. He also competed in the shot put (11.68m) alongside fellow throwers Joshua Wood (Champaign, IL), Torohn Yancey (Detroit, MI) and Scott Smith (Saginaw, MI) . The threesome threw 6.35m, 10.48m, and 10.07m respectively. Smith also competed in the 60m dash, crossing the finish in a time of 7.47.
Jumping 1.81m and also earning a spot at indoor NCCAA's was senior high jumper Zachary Yoder (Mount Pleasant, MI). He competed alongside junior Ethan Szabados (Brownstown, MI) in the event.
On the track side, junior Avery Sanchez (Allen Park, MI) won the 800m race, running 2:17.86. Competing with Sanchez was senior Adam DiMaggio (Irmo, SC), who ran 2:26.20. Closing out the running events for the Cardinals were sprinters Adam Dahl (Junior; Owosso, MI) and Jeremiah Salas (Freshman; Decatur, MI). The duo ran the 200m dash together, with Salas running 23.82 and Dahl crossing the line at 29.06. Salas also competed in the 60m dash (7.36) and Dahl in the 400m (1:03.26).
Full meet results can be seen here.
The Cardinals will take a brief hiatus for winter break and will resume competition Friday, January 14, 2022 for the Dick Small invitational hosted by Defiance College. Keep up with the Cardinals by following the team on social media (CUAAXCTF).
