Lancers Finish Indoor Race

Entering his first year as head coach for the Mount Marty College Track and Field team, Coach Randy Fischer did not know what to expect from some of his athletes.

As the Indoor season progressed and performances began to unfold, Fischer realized that he would not be disappointed.

“Coming in to the season, we knew we were going to have a young team. Throughout the season we gained a lot of valuable experience and have the potential to improve,” Fischer said.

As the season winded down and the Lancers competed in the Great Plains Athletic Conference Championships, numerous athletes competed to their maximum abilities.

Two athletes qualified for the NAIA National Meet in Johnson City, Tenn.. These were throwers Laura Wortmann and Angela Kayser.

Wortmann achieved NAIA All-American status after a fourth place finish in the shot put at the meet. Her longest throw for the year was a 47.8 ft throw that came at the GPAC meet.

“Laura started the season well and continued to get better every week. We were happy with the progression that she made and her performance at the national meet,” Fischer said.

Kayser, one of the Lancers few seniors, qualified for the national meet in the weight throw. She earned a MMC record in the event with a throw of 50.35 ft.

“Angela started well and performed great at the GPAC meet. She was able to earn a school record and then made it to nationals,” Fischer said.

Along with the two girls that qualified for nationals, numerous athletes came just short in the GPAC meet.

Sophomore Carly Benson led the Lancer women from a sprinting aspect. She ran a 1:02.49 in the 400 meter race. She also participated in the 400 meter relay and the long jump.

Senior Laura Condon missed qualifying for nationals in the high jump by just inches. In the GPAC meet, she jumped a 5’1” which turned out to be just short of the 5’3” needed.

Condon also ran in the 400 meter relay.

Titus Cosgey, a student in his first semester away from Nigeria, proved to be one of the Lancers better runners.

Cosgey ran the 800, 1000, and 1600 meter races. He set a MMC record in the 1000 meter race with a time of 2:35.78 minutes.

Juniors Brittney Fischer and Megan O’Grady were among the frontrunners for the Lancers running distance.

Fischer had the best 1600 meter time for the Lancer women with a 5:59.00 minute run. O’Grady competed in the 3K and 5K races. Her best time for the year was in 19:54.73 minutes.

The Lancers had a number of freshmen that made an impact throughout the course of the year.

This began with Lindsey Bardwell who pole vaulted for the Lancers. She also participated in the 400 meter relay along with numerous jumping events.

“Coming into the year, we knew that Lindsey had a lot of potential. She adjusted well to the competition and we are excited for her to keep improving,” Fischer said.

On the men’s side Brandon Phizacklea proved a valuable newcomer. He tied a MMC record in the 55 meter run with a 6.74 second run and just missed the record in the 60 meter dash.

The Lancers look to have hope and talent on their side after completing their indoor season.

“We improve a lot this year as a team. Hopefully we can keep our current athletes going and can strengthen our numbers in the off-season,” Fischer said.

As the Lancers transition into the Outdoor season, they will begin to use the newly renovated high school track located near Yankton High School.

“We are excited about using the high school track. It will be something that will benefit us in our improvement,” Fischer said.