HASTINGS, Neb. – The Dakota Wesleyan University track and field teams competed at the Great Plains Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships hosted by Hastings College Friday and Saturday in Hastings, Neb.
The Tigers had several strong performances on the women's side, including senior middle distance runner Skylar Forgey (Colome, S.D.). Forgey posted a new school record in the 800-meter run, crossing the line in 2 minutes, 16.44 seconds. The time was good enough for third place, earning her All-GPAC honors, which go to the top-eight in each event.
Senior Jessica Fossum continued her strong final season in the heptathlon, solidifying her provisional qualification for the NAIA National Championships later this month with her performance at the conference meet. Fossum broke the GPAC Championships record for the 800-meter run in the heptathlon with a time of 2:26.86. She finished the heptathlon with 4,290 points, earning fifth place.
Freshman Kristen Longville (Lake Preston, S.D.) found her way to the podium with a seventh-place finish in the triple jump with a distance of 10.80 meters. On Friday, freshman Abigail Collingham (Polk, Neb.) earned provisional qualifying status for nationals, clearing the bar at 3.50 meters in the pole vault. The height gave Collingham a fourth-place showing in her first GPAC championships.
The Tiger women finished eighth in the team standings with 17 points, while Doane College took first with 235.
On the men's side, freshman Ben Hammer (Dell Rapids, S.D.) continued his breakout first season with the Tigers, placing in two events. Hammer took third in the discus with a throw of 49.11 meters, while adding a 15.75 meter toss in the shot put to earn sixth. Hammer will compete at the national meet.
In his final GPAC championships, senior jumper Daniel Porter (Plattsmouth, Neb.) placed one final time. He took seventh in the triple jump with a leap of 13.47 meters.
The Tigers finished 11th as a team with 11 points, while Doane placed first with 203.
The qualifying Tigers will head to the NAIA National Championships May 26-28 in Gulf Shores, Ala.