The men’s track and field team had a handful of top performances at two meets in California, along with other middle of the pack finishes.

Freshman javelin thrower Thomas Flud led the way at the Bryan Clay Invitational hosted by Azusa Pacific University, on April 11-13. Flud took fourth in the javelin throw with a new personal best of 62.17 meters. Flud now ranks 23rd in the NCAA DII rankings, giving him a chance to earn a spot at the NCAA DII Outdoor Championships. 

Junior Cass Dobrowolski took first in the high jump, with a mark of 2.06m at the Long Beach State Invitational, on April 12-13. 

Dobrowolski also took third in the high jump at the Bryan Clay Invitational, with a mark of 2.03m.

“We had plenty of performances that should secure spots into NCAAs and a handful of other performances that are a great confidence boost into the next few weeks,” Dobrowolski said.

On the track at Bryan Clay, senior Sean Hoeft ran a season-best time of 1:53.26 in the 800m. Junior Richie Johnston’s time of 9:04.99 in the 3,000m steeplechase moved him to twentieth in the NCAA DII rankings. Senior Benu Meintjes ran a season-best time of 48.72 in the 400m. Senior Sean Fagan placed fifteenth in the 400m hurdles with a time of 52.99 moving him to twenty-fourth in the NCAA DII rankings. 

“”Training has been starting to taper off so that we’re at peak condition for conference in three weeks. I feel like it definitely paid off being able to run fast in good conditions at Bryan Clay invite,”” Fagan said. 

In the field at Bryan Clay, junior Ben Haas placed second in the hammer throw with a mark of 61.21m and third in the shot put with a mark of 16.34m. Junior Matthew Belanich placed fourth in the hammer throw with a mark of 53.49m. 

On the track at Long Beach State, Fagan also placed twenty-fourth in the 110m hurdles with a time of 14.83 seconds and twenty-first in the 400m hurdles with a time of 54.84 seconds. 

In the field at Long Beach State, Flud also placed eleventh in the javelin throw with a mark of 55.97m. Haas also placed eighth in the hammer throw with a mark of 62.54m. Sophomore Connor McCormick had a season-best mark of 4.71m in the pole vault. 

Meintjes also placed 34th in the 400m with a time of 49.51 seconds.

“Saturday’s race felt better than Thursday’s race as my body responded better in the race. The weather and environment was great for my races on both days as it was in California,” Meintjes said. 

According to Dobrowolski, the Chargers are excited to race at home as they head towards championship season. 

“We get to compete at home this coming weekend, get to finally put our new track to the test, and we should have a huge advantage going into GMACs. It’ll be good to finally have a home meet for the first time since I’ve been here,” Dobrowolski said. 

Hillsdale will race next at the home Hillsdale Outdoor Season Opener on April 20.