DSU Runners Shine at Nationals

Nick Huntimer, DSU sports information guru, sends an update on the successes of DSU runners at the NAIA Outdoor National Track and Field Championship.  He notes the success of Nic Penning, Matt Fideler, and Andy Coy, all distance specialists:

MARION, Ind. – Three Dakota State University men's distance runners were in action Saturday at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championship at IWU Outdoor Track Complex. The national meet was hosted by Indiana Wesleyan University. Two Trojan runners earned their name on the list in the DSU record book.

The Trojans began the day Saturday morning with the men's marathon. In the 54-runner field, Nic Penning (junior – Hulett, Wyo.) recorded a 13th-place finish with a time of two hours, 39 minutes and 22.60 seconds. His time is the fourth fastest time in the DSU record book, only behind former NAIA All-American Chris Heezen in three different occasions. During the race, Penning came from behind, catching 23 runners over the last 15 miles.

Matt Fideler (senior – Volga, S.D.) finished 14th in the men's 3000-meter steeplechase final. He clocked a time of 9:49.45. Fideler concluded his stellar collegiate career as he earned NAIA All-American honors in four different events from indoor and outdoor track. In addition, he was a two-time outdoor track All-Conference runner and had been listed in numerous records in DSU school record book.

In the men's 1500-meter finals, Andy Coy (junior - Hill City, S.D. broke a new DSU school record time of 3:47.66 for a fourth-place finish (previous old mark was set by Tyler Van Peursem in 2009 with a time of 3:50.70). His time was the second fastest 1500-meter run by an athlete at any South Dakotacollege, second only to Jake Schneller from South Dakota State who ran 3:47.33 this year. Coy's time was also less than five seconds off the 2012 Olympic Trails 'B' Standard of 3:43.00 As a result, Coy earned NAIA Outdoor Track & Field All-American honor (his fifth overall NAIA All-American honor in his career at DSU).

The NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championship concludes Trojan outdoor track and field season.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Spoorts Information Director

Congratulations Nic, Matt, and Andy on your great seasons and a great finish!