Mustangs Open Indoor Season with Top Performances at Cornell

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa – The Mount Mercy University men's indoor track and field team delivered several notable performances while competing at the Cornell Winter Classic. 

In the sprints, Perez Hemmings secured a personal record (PR) in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.77 seconds, placing second overall. Juniors Chris Canas and Ky Kaufmann represented the team in the 200m, finishing with times of 24.36 and 24.41 seconds, respectively. Freshman Noah Valenzuela shined in the 400m, earning first place with a stellar 51.87 seconds.

Sophomore Josh Smith achieved a PR in the 1000m with a time of 3:01.42 and a third-place finish in the mile at 5:12.81.

Field events also brought success, with junior Cole Eberly claiming second place in the high jump, clearing a height of 1.80 meters. Sophomore Oscar Nielsen added points with a fifth-place performance at 1.75 meters. In the weight throw, freshman Nels Fossum placed seventh, launching a distance of 10.97 meters.

The men's 4x200m relay team, consisting of Nate Keiper, Valenzuela, Canas, and Trevor Leitheiser, secured third place with a time of 1:35.41, demonstrating cohesive teamwork and speed.

The Mustangs will be back in action tomorrow as a split squad, competing at the Mel Tjeerdsma Classic in Missouri and the Frigid Bee Invite in Davenport, Iowa.