RESULTS - Drake Relays | Macalester
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Royals' won their first ever Drake Relays title, as the 4x400m relay team of Jacob Parent (46.88), Josh Thomsen (47.98), Victor Lelinga (47.03), and Grant Nelson (45.64) raced to a blazing 3:07.51. In a classic back and forth battle with rival UW-LaCrosse, Nelson pulled ahead of Collin Conzemius in the final 40m to give Bethel the victory, splitting 45.64 seconds - the fastest in program history.
Bethel's time is the 3rd fastest in Division III history, a program record, and the Division III leader. It is also the fastest time ever run in April by a Division III team and only 0.32 seconds off the Division III record.
On Friday, Grant Nelson placed 5th in the 400m dash. Nelson was the top Division III finisher in 47.24 seconds on a cold blustery day. Jacob Parent took 9th in 47.57.
Josh Thomsen placed 14th in the 110H on Friday, as he ran a season best 14.42 seconds.
David Myres placed 15th in the 400H, running a season best 53.97 seconds.
The 4x800m relay team of Clark Nelson, Gabe Kuecker, Eli Berg, and Victor Lelinga placed 15th with their time of 7:47.04 - the 3rd fastest time in program history.
At Macalester, Timmy Ball earned a victory for the Royals in the discus. Ball threw 47.41m / 155'6", more than 11 feet further than 2nd place. Phil Conant was 3rd with a season best 43.34m / 142'2".
Ball was Bethel's top finisher in the shot put as well, taking 3rd place with a throw of 14.95m / 49'0.75". Hokanson was 4th in 14.63m / 48'0". Jonathan Ritz was 7th with 13.89m, 45'7".
AJ Hokanson took 2nd place in the hammer throw with a toss of 52.11m / 170'11". Timmy Ball took 5th place with a personal best throw of 45.05m / 147'9".
Josh Lee won the 110H as he pulled in front with a season best time of 15.61 seconds. Joren Rudzitis was 6th in 16.42.
Sam Raitz won the 200m dash, as he outleaned Trever Jensen from UW-River Falls to win 22.05 to 22.08 seconds.
Freshman Hootie Hage ran a personal best time in the 5k of 15:24.01 to take 5th place.
Alex Palm ran a personal best time of 51.10 in the 400m dash to take 5th place.
Michael Schultz won his heat of the 800m, as he broke the 2-minute barrier for the first time, running 1:59.96 and placing 7th overall.
The Royals will compete again on Wednesday, April 30th at Hamline University. Championship season begins the following day as Bethel competes in the MIAC Decathlon at Carleton College on Thursday and Friday, May 1st and 2nd.
