Knutson, men's relay squad qualify for nationals

DAVENPORT, Iowa -- Mount Mercy's J'Lyn Knutson and the men's 4x400 meter relay team of Ceondae Adams, Jordan Schroeder, Nate Keiper, and Keegan Thompson hit national qualifying marks at the Finals Week Invitational hosted by St. Ambrose.

Knutson raced to the finish line in 10:25.53 to win the 3,000 meter run and hit the NAIA's "B" qualifying mark. The top five in the event also included teammates Kayla Overton (10:53.30), Abby Knepper (11:00.74), and Abby Rinderknecht (11:48.12). Annie Leopold also won an event for the Mustangs, claiming the 60 meter hurdles in :09.59.

Adams, Schroeder, Keiper, and Thompson also qualfied for the NAIA indoor national meet with a "B" qualifying standard. The won the men's 4x400 meter relay in 3:21.10. Other event winners for Mount Mercy were Adams in the 60 meter dash (:06.82), Thompson in the 200 meter dash (:22.53), and Luke Nickelson in the long jump (6.98m) and triple jump (14.29m).

The Mustangs will compete again next month at the Hilltop Invitational on Jan. 20 at 9:00 am in Mount Vernon, Iowa.