Mount Marty University continues to shine as its track and field team delivered standout performances at recent meets, including the USD and UNK meets held last Friday and Saturday. At USD, the men's 4x400 meter relay team of Austin Gobel, Carl Massa, Chris Munoz, and Zavio Prato clocked a time of 3:15.76, placing 4th and meeting the B standard for NAIA Nationals, currently ranked 34th in the nation. Sophomore Mya Zohner set a new school record in the pole vault with a mark of 3.72m (12ft 2.5in), placing 6th and ranking 13th nationally.
At the UNK meet, junior Zelie Sorensen shattered two school records. She posted a time of 12.06 seconds in the 100m, surpassing the previous record set by Elianna Clark in 2023 (12.10), and ran a blazing 24.51 seconds in the 200m, breaking Clark's 2022 record of 24.94 seconds. Sorensen's 200m time earned her a B Standard qualification for nationals, placing her 24th in the nation.
Mount Marty University has secured several key national qualifiers for the 2025 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships, set to take place in Marion, Indiana, from May 21-23. The Lancers are sending a competitive group of athletes representing both the men's and women's teams, aiming to showcase their talents on the national stage.
Men's Team Highlights
The Lancers' men's 4x400 meter relay team, comprising Austin Gobel (FR), Carl Massa (JR), Chris Munoz-Sturgeon (FR), Zavio Prato (SO), and Jonathan van Lien (FR), qualified for the championships, posting a time of 3:15.76. The relay team finished 31st in the prelims, demonstrating promising performances from a young and developing squad.
Luke Rettedal, a senior standout, will be competing in the men's shot put after an impressive throw of 17.17 meters, earning him a 6th place ranking heading into the national competition. Rettedal's consistency and power in the shot put have been instrumental in the Lancers' success this season.
Women's Team Achievements
The women's team is led by sophomore Mya Zohner, who secured a spot in the pole vault event with a mark of 3.72 meters, positioning her in 13th place heading into nationals. Freshman Paige Clausen also qualified in the pole vault, ranking 18th with a vault of 3.65 meters.
Junior Zelie Sorensen will represent the Lancers in the 200-meter dash, where she finished 21st in the prelims with a time of 24.51 seconds. Sorensen's speed and determination have been key components of the Lancers' women's track program this season.
Looking Ahead
With a mix of experienced veterans and promising newcomers, Mount Marty University's track and field program is poised for a strong showing at the NAIA National Championships. The athletes and coaching staff are eager to compete against the best in the nation and build upon a successful 2025 season.
