Newcomer & Jumpers Star In Opener
Freshman David Supinski won the 600 meters and helped Concordia finish second at the season-opening Cobber Duals.
MOORHEAD, Minn. (1/30/16)---One speedster exited and another stepped on to the stage. Concordia opened its 2016 season by hosting the Cobber Duals and welcomed freshman David Supinski to the spotlight.
Supinski's first-place finish in the 600 meters helped Concordia place second at the meet with a 9-1-1 overall record. CC bettered teams from Dickinson State, Jamestown, University of Mary, MSU Moorhead, Minn.-Morris, Valley City, Minot State and Bethany Lutheran as they finished with around 100 team points in all 11 dual bouts.
Last year it was senior Ben Vickstrom who dominated the track events for Concordia and this year it looks like Supinski who will fill the shoes vacated by Vickstrom's graduation.
Supinski served notice to the conference by racing to a 1:23.68 in the 600 meters to win the race by .60 of a second. His finishing time is the third fastest in program history and third fastest in the MIAC this season.
Concordia also had four other top 4 finishes in track events at the meet which was primarily NCAA Division II and NAIA schools.
Matthew Lillehaugen ran a 4:29.85 in the mile and placed third in the event. He was one of two Lillehaugen brothers to finish in the top 5 of an event. His brother Luke Lillehaugen was fourth in the 600 meters at 1:27.37.
Nick Solheim claimed a fourth-place finish in the 800 meters. The sophomore two-sport athlete crossed the line in a time of 2:05.29.
Senior Race Heitkamp had the other top 4 track finish. He was fourth in the 1000 meters with a finishing time of 2:43.05. That time is the fifth fastest in the MIAC this season.
The high jump and pole vault events gave the Cobbers their top finishes in field competition. Jackson Schepp led the always-deep high jump crew. Schepp cleared 6-03.25 and placed fourth in the event. His height is the second best in the conference this year. Teammate Gabe Wright also cleared 6-03.25 but was fifth because of misses at lesser heights. Nick Anderson made it three Cobbers in the top 6 as he posted a height of 6-01.25 and tied for sixth place.
Eli Beachy, Josh Murrey and Sam Haley had top 10 finishes in the pole vault. Beachy was fourth at 13-06.25 which is the fourth best in the MIAC. Murrey was tied for sixth at 13-00.75 and Haley was tied for eighth at 12-10.75.
The other notable field finish came from Erik Bye who was seventh in the weight throw with a distance of 46-11.75. That mark is in the top 10 of the school's all-time list and currently in the top 10 of the conference.
WHAT'S NEXT
Concordia will stay at home to start the season. CC will host the Cobber Open on Saturday, Feb. 6 beginning at 12 p.m. in the Olson Forum.