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Jon Berg Claims first MIAC Decathlon Title

Mark Bresnan
May 7, 2001

Co-captain Jon Berg (Sr., Armstrong, Minn.) set a St. Olaf school record and automatically qualified for the NCAA championships en route to his first MIAC decathlon victory last Friday and Saturday, May 5-6 at Carleton College. Berg teamed with sixth-place Neal Olsen (So., Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) to take the Oles to an early lead in the MIAC track and field competition.

Berg's strong opening performances coupled with defending champion Adam Strainer's three fouls in the long jump virtually guaranteed that the two-time national qualifier would win his first title in the two-day event. A personal-best 12.54 meter heave in the shot put lengthened his lead over the field.

Still, after an excellent toss in the discus, the competition's seventh event, Berg trained his eyes on a different prize; the school record. An amazing performance in the javelin put him within reach going into the 1500 meter run. His 53.08 meter throw was the second best mark in the MIAC this year and it meant a 4:49 run would break Todd Jorgenson's school record of 6503 points, set in 1986. With teammates cheering, Berg streaked to a 4:46 and a two-day total of 6526.

The Oles badly needed a few more points to remain competitive in the meet despite an injury to Mark Murakami, who figured to battle for a top-four finish. Olsen responded in his first attempt at the ten-event competition, performing consistently to total 5272 points. The Oles now have 13 points to lead over second place Concordia's nine. The MIAC champion will be crowned May 11-12 at Carleton. This year's event promises to be a wide-open affair, as defending champion University of St. Thomas will seek to fend off efforts from the Oles as well as St. John's, Concordia, Hamline, Carleton, and Gustavus Adolphus. The Oles placed fourth in the 2000 competition.

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