Hillsboro, Kan. - The Tabor College Men's Track and Field Team placed fifth out of nine teams at the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Track Meet held Friday and Saturday on the campus of McPherson College, in McPherson, Kan.

A cool and damp weekend didn't stop a number of Bluejays from turning in school record or national qualifying performances including three event championships.

Two new school records were broken over the weekend led by junior Mike Rousell (New Orleans, La.) in the triple jump with a distance of 47-11'3/4, while sophomore Zach Gould (Sioux City, Iowa) set a new school record in the 10K with a time of 35:11.19.

Individual event winners included sophomore Justin Ball (Welda, Kan) in the 800 meters, senior Silas Hibbs (Hays, Kan.) in the poll fault pole vault and Rousell in the triple jump.

"The Tabor men, with a smaller squad than usual competed well," said Head Track and Field Coach Dave Kroeker. "Their efforts were highlighted by Justin's come from behind victory in the 800 meters. He beat the three-time defending champion Aric Cherry from Southwestern on Saturday. He has been waiting for a good day and good competition to really run a great time and he ran a very smart race for the win. Justin also qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Championships with his effort.

"Mike also won a very dramatic triple jump title on his final jump of the competition, and Silas also successfully defended his poll vault title of a year ago," Kroeker added.

Honorable mention All-KCAC performances (4^th through 6^th places) were turned in by Rousell, who placed fifth in the long jump; Gould, who placed sixth in the 10K; freshman Jordan Stahl (Yale, S.D.), who placed fifth in the 100 meters; junior Drew Crosson (Minneapolis, Kan.), who placed fifth in the 110 meter hurdles; senior Brad Kiser (Delphos, Kan.), who placed sixth in the triple jump; sophomore Richard Snyder (Warren, Ore.), who placed sixth in the discus; and, junior Tristan Burrow (Great Bend, Kan.), placed sixth in the hammer throw.

"We were a little short-handed on the men's team this season but the guys that competed made a great effort and for that I am pleased and proud," added Kroeker.

Current Tabor national qualifiers include Ball in the 800 meters, Gould in the marathon, and Rousell triple jump. A few Tabor athletes will attempt to qualify for nationals in one of several "last chance" meets this coming week.

The NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be May 21-23, in St. Louis, Mo.

Full Meet Results