Staff Writer- Alayna Boe
Right before the long-awaited spring break at Gustavus Adolphus College, the track & field teams competed at the indoor MIAC Championships. The Men’s Track & Field team earned a total of thirteen honors. Six of those were all-conference, and the other seven were honorable mentions. These awards led the men to finish fourth at the meet, which is the best they have done since 2012.
Junior Jade Anstine led the way for the Gusties. Competing in three events and finishing third in all of them, Anstine got used to the podium. These podium finishes were applauded and gave the Gusties great points while also not letting other teams gain any more points.
All-conference honors were given to Anstine for his performances in the 60-meter, 200-meter, and 4×200-meter relay. Anstine was joined in the 4×200 by Junior Tyler Heil, Sophomore Conner Martens, and First-year Luke Scheel. This all-conference team ran a time of 1:29.30 and set a new Gustavus school record.
Anstine is a junior nursing major here at Gustavus. He competes in short sprints, so anything from the 60-meter to the 400-meter dash. Last season, Anstine was injured for nearly the entire season, so getting back onto the track in any capacity would have been a win. Competing in three events and making the podium in all of them was a big win for him.
The MIAC championships as a whole were a big win for this men’s team. “The men’s team placed the highest we’ve placed since I’ve been at Gustavus, which was super cool to see!” The men’s team really came together at the end of the season and competed to their best. Anstine says, “I am looking forward to outdoor season because we will hopefully get some warmer weather and the track is a lot nicer on my shins.”
Martens also had a great weekend on the track. He earned all-conference honorable mention in both his 200-meter and 400-meter races. He completed both races in fifth place and showed a lot of power as a sophomore. He ran a time of 22.57 in the 200-meter and a 50.30 in the 400-meter.
Not only did Martens run his own two individual races, but he also ran two relays. He ran the 4×200 and then also the 4×400-meter relay. The 4×400 was run by Martens, Scheel, and then Juniors Cullen Arneson and Nick Brauer. This relay finished fifth in the conference with a time of 3:24.16.
Switching distances, Senior Will Janzen ran the 5000-meter run during the MIAC championships. He had to stay disciplined and know his race well before embarking around the track 25 times. He finished with a podium spot and a time of 15:08.27. This rounded out his indoor career and gave him an all-conference honor.
Brauer, while shorter, still ran a number of laps around the indoor track complex at Carleton College. Finishing fourth in both the 1000-meter and 1-mile runs, Brauer gained two more all-conference honors. With times of 2:28.10 and 4:16.46, respectively, he beat the school record in both races. These records were last set by Tyler Smith ‘25 and Tucker Wallin ‘23.
In the field portion of the meet, Sophomore Kyler Flunker led the Gusties in the high jump. He jumped a height of 1.90 meters (6.2 feet). This height gave him the tying height for second in high jump and also all-conference honors. Flunker is looking towards the outdoor season and beating that height.
Sophomore Landon Gilbertson also high jumped during this championship meet. He earned an honorable mention with his fifth-place finish. He jumped a height of 1.84 meters (6.04 feet). Gilbertson has been battling injury this season, so this jump was good for him, and his performance was rewarding.
The heptathlon was completed by First-year Amos Anderson and Senior Connor McCormick. Anderson got eighth in his first MIAC Championships as a multi. McCormick finished third overall and got all-conference honors for the Gusties. He scored 4694 heptathlon points and got up to third for his final indoor meet.
Lastly, Sophomore Liam Frommelt did the best for the Gusties in the triple jump. He finished sixth in the meet with a jump of 13.29 meters (43.6 feet). Frommelt has been jumping well and improving this season, so outdoors will be a good turn for him. The other triple jumpers are well improving and are looking forward to the outdoor season and competing under the sun.
This MIAC championship proved to the Gusties that they are able to compete in this conference and know their spot. The outdoor season will prove to them all that the hard work they are putting in is paying off. Go Gusties!