Trojans Show Strong Performances at GVSU Open

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Trojans had a successful day competing at the Grand Valley State University Open. The meet included three impressive NAIA National qualifying performances by Josh Roth and Daniel Gerber.

Josh Roth ran a time of 8:27.13 in the 3,000-meters, placing third overall and hitting the NAIA A-standard. Daniel Gerber also notched A-standard, racing to a time of 8:35.63 and claiming eighth place. Three other Trojans competed in the 3,000-meters including Derek Van Prooyen (8:46.69), Sam Hardy (9:31.18) Zach Hoekstra (9:39.89).

Gerber placed fifth in the mile and improved upon his B-standard from last week with a new mark of 4:13.35 to automatically qualify for nationals. Connor White placed 16th and ran a time of 4:21.20. Josh Meek clocked 4:54.55.

In the 5,000-meters, Alex Helmuth logged a time of 15:10.62 and placed fifth. Joshua Harden went 15:50.58 finishing in 14th. Cody Sonnenberg recorded 16:54.49 and Nathan Holst logged a mark of 17:26.38.

Connor White ran the 800-meters in a time of 2:00.88. Isaac Cornfield clocked a time of 1:22.93 in the 600-meters.

In the 400-meters, Cole Meyer went 51.52 while Justin Foster logged 53.19.

Matthew Sakeuh placed seventh in the 200-meters in 22.49. Meyer and Foster crossed at 22.91 and 24.16.

Adam Nichols competed in the high jump, placing sixth overall and clearing 1.81 meters.

A group of Trojans also competed at the Indiana Wesleyan Invite in Marion, Indiana.

Sammy Sommers had a third-place finish in the long jump with a leap of 6.98 meters. Mitch DeJong jumped 5.76 meters and Ariya Bradley logged 5.67 meters.

In the pole vault, Damon Knowles cleared 4.35 meters and finished in fifth place. Noah Zaleski placed 11th with a height of 3.90 meters.

Logan Benson finished fifth in the high jump with a height of 1.91 meters.

In the weight throw, Liam Hesting nabbed seventh place with a toss of 15.18 meters and Caleb Newcomer threw for 13.14 meters. Hesting also launched the shot put 14.26 meters.

Dain Wyngarden and Ariya Bradley competed in the 60-meter dash and 200-meter dash. Wyngarden logged 7.27 in the 60-meters and 24.42 in the 200-meters. Bradley clocked 7.93 in the 60-meters and 26.17 in the 200-meters.

The Trojans will return to action in two weeks for the 2020 Crossroads League Indoor Track and Field Championships on February 14 and 15 hosted by Indiana Wesleyan in Marion, Indiana.