Reyes, Kamoni win again

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The Jimmie indoor track and field teams continued to post solid results. Saturday, they came against quality competition.

The normally smallish Concordia Duals, instead featured several strong teams — most from NCAA Division II.

Still, Aleona Reyes and Spencer Kamoni each collected event victories to highlight the Jimmies’ list of solid performances.

Reyes won the 800, meaning now she’s qualified for the NAIA indoor in four events, after leading a 1-2-7-8 JC effort in the 800. Reyes won in a time of 2:18.00, just ahead of Madey Hornung (2:20.92), who was second and only .47 off from qualifying.

Ashley Mueller, a former Blue Jay like Hornung, was seventh (2:34.91) and Andrea Markwart (2:38.79) eighth, one of two places for the freshman from Bismarck, who was also eighth in the mile (5:29.26).

Overall, the Jimmies had 15 personal bests in 29 individual events.

“This meet has typically been small, but it was not today,” said JC women’s coach Jim Clark. “Eight teams and a lot of great competition made places harder to come by, but it produced a lot of good marks.”

Reyes, who is quickly becoming one of the elite athletes in all of the NAIA as only a sophomore, also led off the Jimmies’ 4x400 relay, which was second, along with Kayla Byle, Taylor Miller and Stephanie Erlandson.

Moriah Juhl, another freshman, from Williston, had two PRs, including a runner-up effort in the mile of 5:52.30. The other came in the 3000 (12:16.40).

Miller, a freshman from Mandan, added a sixth in the 60 meters and the freshman also ran in the two relays: 4x400 and 4x2 (1:49.1) with Ashley Cooper, Erlandson and Alyssa Sanders.

In the high jump, Taylor Brown and Mallory Johannes tied for third (5-0.25).

Jolynn Warnes, another of the deep freshmen class, was seventh in the triple (34-2.50) and also PRed in the long jump 16-2.25.

Pole-vaulter Keiley Sampson, competing near home (Fargo), was sixth in the pole vault (8-0.75), she too is a freshman.

“We made some significant gains today,” Clark said. “We are making strides as a team. We are getting a little faster and jumping a little further and higher.

“It was a good day and a stepping stone to better things.”

Same could be said for the men.

“I was pretty pleased, but there’s always something that kind of balances it out with somebody not doing what they were supposed to do in a way, but overall it was a decent meet for us,” said men’s coach Ed Crawford.

Kamoni, was again at the top of the list as he remained unbeaten during the indoor season.

The former JHS performer won the 1000 meters, a race that featured a lot of black and orange.

Kamoni’s winning 2:34.63 was followed closely by teammate Nathan Christensen’s runner-up effort of 2:37.15. Kendall Wiltzen (2:43.60) was eighth for good measure.

“That was Nate’s best race of the year. He’s been coming back from an Achilles problem so it was good to see him run well,” Crawford said.

The same three plus Scott Roemmich teamed up for the Jimmies’ other best finish as they crossed second in the 1600 relay (3:30.94) getting nipped only by Mary’s 3:30.75.

“That was an exciting way to end the meet. It was really close. All of our guys did do a really nice job,” Crawford said.

Overall, the Jimmies racked up 12 top 10 finishes in the strong field at the Olson Forum Fieldhouse.

“We’re still improving. If we weren’t then you’d be concerned, but for the most part guys are working hard and doing what they’re supposed to be doing,” Crawford said.

Hurdler Trent Roemmich was up to his usual stuff, placing third in the 60 (8.47), but again came just a whisker (0.7 seconds) from qualifying.

“He’s running really consistent races. He’s always in the mix. Hopefully in the next two weeks he’ll get it done,” Crawford said.

Steady runners Brent Jansen and Jarann Johnson posted times of 51.76 and 51.88, respectively in the 400 to place sixth and seventh. Jansen’s time was a lifetime best.

The JC throwing crew kept rolling along.

As usual, Rob Nelson led the way in the shot with a sixth-place throw of 44-8. Teammate Mike Findlay was seventh (43-2.25).

Findlay got the upper hand in the weight throw where his 50-10 was fifth. Garrett Tenney (49-5.75) was seventh and Nelson 11th (45-10.5).

Dave Londe posted a nice fifth-place effort in the 3000 (9:33.27), which was another PR for a Jimmie athlete.

“Throwers did a nice job, nothing spectacular, but good solid efforts,” Crawford said.

Cody Ptacek had two top 10s in the jumps.

In the triple, former Blue Jay Matt Johnson’s 41-10.50 was good for third, while Ptacek was eighth (39-0.50). Ptacek, an Oakes product and a freshman, added a 10th in the long jump (20-1.50).

“Cody did a pretty good job. He’s a freshman and kind of learning his way right now in a way so hopefully he’ll get some confidence and keep improving,” Crawford said.

After two straight meets at Concordia, the Jimmies head to Fargo and the BSA for the Bison Open on Saturday.

Sun sports editor Dave Selvig can be reached at (701) 952-8460 or by e-mail at daves@jamestownsun.com

Tags: track and field, college sports, sports, jimmies, track