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Mens Track and Field at Rolex Classic

Mark Bresnan
May 3, 2001

The St. Olaf men's track and field team traveled to Carleton Tuesday afternoon partly in hopes of adding to their list of qualifiers for the MIAC championships, but mainly to regain the Rolex Championship trophy from their cross-town rivals. Unfortunately, they fell victim to the dual meet's unique scoring system. Though no team score is kept, a random event is drawn from a hat at meet's end to decide the winner. The hammer throw proved decisive, as the Knights kept the coveted watch for a second straight year.

However, the Oles did accomplish their first goal, and won ten of the seventeen events in which they competed. Peter Sommers (Jr., Victoria, Minn.) set the tone by capturing his first victory in the javelin with a toss of 147 feet and two inches. Corey Dingels (Jr., Gibbon, Minn.) added victories in the long jump and the high jump.

Successful performances in the 800 and 400 meter runs bode well for the Oles chances at the MIAC meet. Mark Bresnan (Sr., Indianola, Iowa) led the field in the shorter race at 50.88, while Jon Pearce (Sr., Lawrence, Kan.) took second in a quick 51.00. Andrew Cole (Jr., Mankato, Minn.) pulled away from the field in the two-lap race in a season-best 1:57.61. Joel Tortomasi (So., Beloit, Wis.) made the most of his first attempt at the 3,000 meter steeplechase, winning in a time of 10:21.12.

The 400 and 1600 meter relays showcased the Oles? depth, both winning by impressive margins. Ryan Noreen (So., Bloomington, Minn.), Dingels, Gaute Johnsen (So., Akershus, Norway) and Matt Johnson (FY, Richfield, Minn.) teamed up to clock in at a season best 43.10 in the one-lap event. The 4X400 featured an unconventional quartet of Pearce, Johnsen, Cole, and Jeff Boerner (Jr., Corcoran, Minn.), but still clocked in at a quick 3:28.87 to end the afternoon's competition.

The Oles will stay at home this Saturday, May 5 to host the Meet of the Saints. Defending MIAC champions St. Thomas will participate, along with St. John's University and St. Mary's University.

Contact Pat Buresh at 507-786-3315 or buresh@stolaf.edu.