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Photo courtesy of Nathan Lodermeier
Photo courtesy of Nathan Lodermeier
Posted: Feb 22, 2013

Shields' Spring Break Starts Splendidly

Results

NORTHFIELD, Minn. (2/22/13)—Concordia sophomore Bruce Shields is hoping his 2013 Spring Breakwill finish as epically as it started. Shields kicked off his week off from school work by recording the second-fastest 200-meter dash time in school history and then helping the Cobber contingent 4x200-meter relay team set a new school record at the St. Olaf Open on Friday.

Shields was one of six Concordia athletes to post top 3 finishes at the final event before the Cobbers compete in the MIAC Indoor Championship next weekend.

Shields' fastest time of the season heading into the meet in the 200 meter individual race had been 23.42 but then he unleashed a 22.98 on Friday and won the race by .20 seconds. The 200-meter dash at the Ole Open featured 23 athletes from six different MIAC schools. His career-best winning time is currently the sixth fastest in the conference this season. It is also the second fastest in school history and quickest in 13 years.

Shields' epic day was just getting started as he ran the leadoff leg on the Cobber 2x200-meter relay team that set a new program record by finishing in a time of 1:31.59. The previous record was 1:32.04 set back in 2010. That mark is also the fourth fastest in the MIAC this year.         

Scott Anderson was the only other Concordia track athlete to record a top 3 finish at the meet on Friday. He ran a season-best 2:38.02 in the 1,000 meters and finished second.

Freshman Brandon Zylstra headlined the field athletes at the Ole Open as he enjoyed the best meet of his collegiate career. Zylstra cleared 6-06.00 in the high jump and finished in third place. That height is the sixth best in school history and the tops since 2001. He is currently in a tie for second in the MIAC heading into the conference meet. Zylstra was also fifth in the long jump with a mark of 20-10.50. He will enter the conference meet seeded fourth in the event.

The Cobber pole vault crew once again put together a stellar invitational for the CC field athletes. In a season that has featured weekly runs at the school record, Concordia recorded an impressive 1-2-3-4 finish at the Ole Open. School record holder Erik Olson won the event with a height of 14-11.75. He was followed by Levi Bachmeier, Josh Murrey and Connor Baker.

The Cobbers will now have seven days to train on the empty spring-break campus at Concordia before competing at the MIAC Indoor Championship Meet on Friday, Mar. 1 and Saturday, Mar. 2 at St. Olaf.