The Finisher & An Eye-Catching Finish

FARGO, N.D. (2/05/21)--- Concordia had a pair of event wins in the season opener at NDSU on Friday. One belonged to the "ho-hum, what else is new" category while the other was an eye-catching finish that could be a springboard to a dominating senior season.

Junior Jesse Middendorf and senior Jacob Steiner claimed event titles at the DII-laden Bison Open and helped the Cobbers finish fifth in the highly-anticipated first meet of the season.

Middendorf continues to tear apart the middle distances like Patrick Mahomes picking apart opposing secondaries. Last year Middendorf won both the 600 and 800 meters at the MIAC Championship Meet and earned the nickname "The Finisher" for his ability to reel in competitors in the final 100 meters. He kicked off the 2021 campaign by clocking a 1:55.78 to win the 800 meters. His time is 2-seconds off his career best but is the fourth fastest mark in Division III this year and tops in the MIAC.

Steiner's success is a carry-over from last year's MIAC Indoor Meet where he was third in the shot put and eighth in the weight throw. He started his senior year on Friday by recording a distance of 50-05.25 to win the shot put by 6.75 inches. He is the second athlete in the MIAC this year to break the 50-foot mark and is the sixth farthest in Division III this year. It is his best distance since his sophomore season. Steiner also put up a 50-foot plus mark in the weight throw. He was fourth in the event at 51-01.75. His distance in the opener is only .50 inches off his career best.             

Steiner might have watched his Cobber successor start his college career on Friday. Freshman Cooper Folkestad placed second among 16 competitors in the even with a mark of 49-08.5. The Wadena native's first event in college earned him the third farthest distance in the MIAC this year.

From the "Boys Are Back In Town File", the Cobber 4x400-meter relay team of Middendorf, Cal Wright, Colin Schuller and Dan Wilson clocked a 3:28.61 and placed second in the event. Their time is the tops in the MIAC this year and fifth fastest in the nation. Middendorf and Wright were a part of the CC quartet that captured the 4x4 title at the MIAC Indoor Meet last year.

Wright had the other Top 5 finish for Concordia in the opener. He ran a 51.06 in the 400 meters and was fifth. That time is the best in the MIAC and sixth fastest in the nation this year.

The Cobbers had a pair of distance runners post seventh-place finishes. Senior Munir Isahak recorded a mark of 4:28.23 in the mile while junior Leo Smith crossed the line in 9:07.63 in the 3000 meters. The time by Isahak is the best in the MIAC this year while Smith's is fourth best in the 3K.           
      
UP NEXT: Concordia will host its home opener next Saturday when they welcome Southwest Minnesota State to the Olson Forum for a dual meet at 12 p.m.

SPONSOR: Tonight's recap sponsor is Fargo Linoleum. Thanks to Fargo Linoleum for their long-time support of Cobber athletics and the Cobber track & field teams.