ORIGINALLY WRITTEN TOM STOPPEL
Six Tabor College athletes extended their regular season by a week when they participated in the Emporia State Twilight Qualifying meet May 9.
Mandi Janzen and Landon Goertzen generated the best news of the day.
Janzen, a senior, bettered her NAIA national meet provisional qualifying jump by clearing 5 feet 5 inches. She had several close misses at 5-7.
“She was obviously very excited and extremely focused mentally throughout the competition,” coach Dave Kroeker said.
Janzen’s jump puts her in the Top 10 in the nation so far this year.
Goertzen, also a senior, ran a blistering 800 meters in 1:53.2, eclipsing the old record school record set by Don Dahl in 1968 of 1:54.9.
The time also was a provisional qualifying mark for the NAIA national meet.
“Landon eclipsed his personal best set at the KCAC meet this year by over two seconds and he still wasn’t really pushed in the last 100 meters of his race,” Kroeker said. “I wish he could have been in a little faster heat.”
Goertzen’s time is the 11th-best NAIA time in the nation.
“He ran an excellent race and was pushed hard on the first lap (55 seconds) which he carried through the second 400 meters of the race to win going away,” Kroeker said.
Kevin Nickel ran his last race as a Bluejay, registering a time of 9:49.47 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
Angela Jost ran her best time of the season in the women’s 1,500 meters (5:03.7).
Jeremiah Randall ran a personal best of 2:01.38 in the open 800, while Brian Lightner ran the 400-meter intermediate hurdles in 56.17.
Joining Janzen and Goertzen as Tabor athletes who have qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Olathe, May 22-24, are Tamara McCarren in the discus and Rachel Evans in the 100-meter hurdles.
