RESULTS
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Another week, another school record for Gabe Irons in the throws… Make that 2 program records! Irons led the way for the Royals at the Holst Invite by winning the discus, taking 2nd in shot put, and 3rd in the hammer throw.
The highlight of the day came in the discus, where Irons threw a school record and NCAA Division III leading toss of 55.55m / 182'3". That throw is the 2nd best throw in Division III dating back to 2019. His series also included throws of 54.74m and 53.30m - marks that would have broken his own previous program record.
Irons also had a massive personal best in the shot put. His final throw of the competition sailed 16.52m / 54'2.5", 2'6'' further than his previous personal best. That throw stands as the 4th best throw in Division III this year and set a program record. Irons also took 3rd in the hammer throw with a toss of 53.84m / 176'8". He is now the MIAC leader in all three throwing events.
The success for the Royals continued on the track as Bethel put up several other nationally ranked performances. Joel Smith took the top spot in his signature event, the 400m hurdles. Smith crossed the finish line in 53.20, a season best that ranks 6th in NCAA Division III and is the top time in the MIAC. Teammate Tyler Sealock took 2nd in a season best 54.48, the 21st best time in Division III. David Myres had a lifetime best of 55.20 to take 4th, which ranks him 40th in Division III.
Freshman Jayson Ekiyor had a breakout performance in the 110m hurdles on Saturday. The reigning MIAC 60m hurdle champion ran lifetime best 14.47 to take 3rd place. That time is the 4th best in NCAA Division III this year and stands as the 2nd best performance in program history. Myres also set a lifetime best in the 110m hurdles, running 15.05 and taking 7th overall. His time is the 7th best in program history.
Jacob Parent earned a victory in the 400m dash on a windy afternoon. He ran a season best and MIAC leading time of 48.73. That time currently ranks 24th on the Division III honor roll. Parent was also a part of both of the Royals' relays. The 4x100m team of Godsword Simon, Albert Smith, Alec Braun, and Parent ran a season best 43.25 to take 3rd place. In the 4x400m relay, Parent teamed up with Sealock, Trokon Karngar, and Smith to take 2nd place in 3:20.64, the top time in the MIAC this season and the 25th best time in Division III.
Bethel will split their squad next week as several Royals qualified for the prestigious Drake Relays in Des Moines on Friday and Saturday. The majority of the team will compete at the Drake Alternative Meet at Gustavus on Saturday, April 30th.
