Outdoor Track and Field Season Begins

Photo Credit: Brooklyn Delray Photography
DECORAH, Iowa – Today was a great day for the men's and women's track and field teams. The team competed at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

The men's team had a phenomenal day. With Donald Henderson Jr. debut on the team, he made all kinds of history. Donald began his day in the long jump where he move to number three on the all-time list at Bethany, with a jump of 5.99m (19'8"). Donald also was part of the school record Sprint Medley Relay. Running the 200m leg of the race, he ran a 23.5 second split, helping the team to a 3:43.7. To wrap up his day, Donald ran a leg of the 4x200m relay. He split a school record time of 22.3 and helped lead the team to a 1:36.49, another school record. "Donald was absolutely incredible today! I can't express how proud I am of his effort today and look forward to his track and field future," said Coach Michael Dunn.

Noah Larson also had an incredible day. Finishing fourth place in his first ever long jump with a leap of 6.30m (20'8"), he put himself at the top of Bethany's Long Jump record list. Also part of the record breaking SMR (3:43.70), Noah ran a 23.34 200m leg. His final event of the day was the 4x200m, where the team ran a school record and Noah ran a 24.5. "We really just wanted to see good effort today and what we got was records and a lot of heart. I am very proud of how Noah pushed himself this weekend."

Stefan Prince had a fantastic outdoor opener. Part of the record-making SMR team, he became the first Bethany athlete to run a sub 51 second 400m split (50.5). Being part of the record-making 4x200, Stefan ran a 23.9 split. Stefan finished his day running his first ever 800m in the 4x800m relay that finished with a time that sits number two on the all-time list (8:54.79). He split the fifth fastest time in Bethany history with a 2:06.00. "Stefan did the most running at this meet than any other meet this season and he did it all very well! I know we can expect quite a bit from this kid as the season ramps up."

Another track debut came from Christian Rank. Leading the day off in the Javelin, Christian threw his way to number three on the all-time list with a 38.8m (127'3"). "Christian has been diligently working on this last week and we still have a lot to work with on his approach. So there is more from him to come," stated Coach Ferguson, throwing coach. Christian also competed in a 4x200m relay team and split a 26.1. The relay team Christian ran on becomes number 2 on the all-time list.

Arianna Emmons started her outdoor season off with a fantastic day. Starting with the shot put, Arianna tossed a personal record 8.26m (27'1.25"), sixth on the all-time list. Arianna's second event was the hammer throw, where she set another personal record (24.2m/79'5"). She now sits number three on the all-time list.

"I was really proud of how the athletes got after it today. With it being the first meet of the season, it is hard to expect a lot, but all the athletes went above and beyond today," said Dunn. " We have a lot to tweak as we go into practice this week and I look forward to getting more practice in with these athletes, as some have only had a few weeks of practice. We are glad to get the kinks out early and can now focus on Gustavus."

Bethany will be competing next Saturday at Gustavus Adolphus.