Cheetah-Like Vickstrom Goes Even Faster

MOORHEAD, Minn. (2/01/14)—Ben Vickstrom continues to get faster and faster and drop records lower and lower. Vickstrom bettered his own school record in the 60-meter dash and helped Concordia finish third in the annual Cobber Duals Meet.

Concordia finished with a record of 6-2 against the eight other teams competing at the meet. The Cobbers only losses were to Dickinson State and MSU Moorhead.

Vickstrom started the season by clocking a 7.03 at the NDSU Bison Classic on Jan. 18. On Saturday he did that .01 seconds better by running a 7.02 and finishing second in a race dominated by Division II and NAIA athletes. His time is the second fastest in the MIAC this season and in the top 25 of Division III.

Vickstrom's second-place finish was the top place for CC at the meet but it was just one of several top 7 finishes for the Cobbers.

Fellow sprinter Bruce Shields kicked off his season by racing to a 7.31 in the 60 meters and placed sixth. His finishing time is .01 seconds faster than his season best from 2013. Shields is knocking on the door of a lifetime best. His career mark in the 60 meters is 7.30.    

Senior captain Alex Benzegala, Concordia's official "12^th Man" posted top 10 finishes in both the 200 and 400 meters. He was eighth in the 200 meters in a time of 23.66 and placed seventh in the 400 meters at 52.40.

Concordia pole vault crew started the 2014 season right where they left off 2013 by posting some of the best field results for the Cobbers. Sophomore Josh Murrey cleared 14-01.25 and placed sixth at the meet. His height is fourth best in the MIAC. Last year Murrey's best indoor mark in the pole vault was 14-02.50. Teammate Eddie Clifton posted a top 10 finish in his very first collegiate meet. The freshman went over 13-07.25 and finished in a tie for ninth place.

The other top 10 finish in a field event was turned in by Gabe Wright who cleared 6-04.25 in the high jump and tied for fourth place. That mark bettered his 2013 best by two full inches and is the second-best height in the conference in 2014.

The Cobbers will head across the Red River to compete in the NDSU Invitational on Friday, Feb. 7.  

Cobber Collegiate Indoor Bests
Alec Boike, SP 13.37 (43-10.5);
Andrew Dosch, 60 8.14 (=PR);
Andrew Dosch, 1000 3:05.93;
Andrew Dosch, LJ 4.98 (16-4.25);
Andrew Dosch, SP 10.23 (33-6.75);
Ben Vickstrom, 60 7.02;
Calder Solloway, LJ 5.40 (17-8.75);
Calder Solloway, PV 2.65 (8-8.25);
Dan McGuire, 60 7.57;
Dan Schneck, Mile 5:18.40;
Gabe Wright, 60H 9.45;
Gabe Wright, LJ 5.76 (18-10.75);
Gabe Wright, TJ 12.14 (39-10);
Gabe Wright, PV 3.25 (10-8);
Gabe Wright, HJ 1.94 (6-4.25);
Hans-Kristof Nelson, 60 8.33;
Hans-Kristof Nelson, LJ 5.11 (16-9.25);
Henry Dobbs, Mile 4:47.30;
Ian Lane, WT 7.12 (23-4.5);
Jeff Fiebelkorn, 600 1:34.98;
Joe Hendrickson, LJ 5.24 (17-2.25);
Mason Ness, 60 7.92;
Michael Hagley, PV 3.70 (12-1.5);
Nick Anderson, HJ 1.89 (6-2.25);
Peter Simon, 3k 10:23.32;
Theo Betting, HJ 1.89 (6-2.25)
Tim Peterson, 3000 10:00.71;
Tyler Aldous, SP 11.58 (38-0);
Tyler Pederson, 800 2:13.06;