Trojan Indoor Track & Field teams open season Saturday at Wayne State

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Trojan Indoor Track & Field teams open season Saturday at Wayne State

December 10, 2009

The Dakota State University women's and men's indoor track and field teams will open their 2009-2010 campaign on Saturday. The Trojans will travel to Wayne, Neb. to participate in the Wayne State Wildcat Pre-season Open. The first event is scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m.

Women's

The Dakota State women's indoor track and field team looks to continue on where they left off from last spring. The Trojans had a great showing at the DAC Outdoor Track Conference Championships.

The Trojans will return three seniors. Suzanne Swett was a national qualifier and 18th place finisher at the 2009 NAI Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in the marathon. Clarice Bauer and Samantha Warnke are both top-5 place finishers in the 5,000-meters at the DAC Outdoor Track and Field Conference Championships.

Along with some noted performers from last year's DAC Conference and NAIA national meets included Danielle Rowe, Stephanie Warnke and Brandi Gau. Rowe was the DAC Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field champions in high jump. She placed 5th and earned NAIA All-American honor at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships last season. Stephanie Warnke was the runner-up in the 800-meters at last year's DAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She was an indoor national qualifier in the 1,000-meters. Gau posted a third place performance and personal best mark in the 400-meters in last year's DAC Outdoor Track and Field Conference Championships.

The Trojans have added much depth along with handful of other strong performers from last year's team. "We have a very solid group of freshmen that will contribute in many areas this season including the jumps, hurdles and relays," said Trojan women's track and field head coach Trent Mack. "Our returners from the past seasons have really shown a strong commitment and are helping the newcomers get off to a great start. It should be an exciting team all-around with a lot of competitiveness and tremendous work ethic."

Men's

DSU men's track and field is coming off one of their best performances in last year's DAC Conference Championships. The Trojans scored 109 points and finished third behind Dickinson State and Black Hills State in last year's DAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

The Trojans will return the following letterwinners: Tyler Van Peursem, Cody Foreman, Kyle Sanderson, Anthony Drealan, Phillip Carmody, Jared Schlobohm, Matt Fideler, Andrew Manning, Jared Mengenhausen, Devon Berkness, Chancy Cameron, Keith Huffman, John Bintliff, Andy Quenzer and Matt Glick.

Trojan men's track and field head coach Buzz Stevenson stated, "We have an outstanding nucleus returning along with several good freshmen. We hope to be much improved from last year. With the Trojan men's cross country team winning the DAC Conference Championships, we hope that will carry over to the track season."

For a complete schedule of the Wayne State Wildcat Pre-season Open, click here.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director