Thanks to three All-NSIC performers, the Wayne State men's track and field team is sitting in second place after the opening day of the 2024 Northern Sun Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Mankato, Minnesota.  The Wildcats scored 31 points on the opening day, trailing only Minnesota State with 96.5 points in the team standings.
            Trailing Wayne State is Minnesota Duluth at 29 with Concordia-St. Paul fourth (28) and Sioux Falls fifth at 26.5 points.  Augustana (21), MSU Moorhead and Northern State are tied for seventh with 20 points each with Mary ninth at 18 and Minot State 10^th with 12 points.
            Senior Dylan Kneifl had the highest Wildcat finish Friday placing second in the high jump clearing 6' 8 ¾" to earn All-NSIC honors.  Freshman Elliott Nottlemann also medaled in the event taking seventh at 6' 3 ½".
            Junior Daniel Elge captured All-NSIC honors with a third-place finish in the hammer throw at 191' 9", an NCAA provisional mark. 
            Pierce junior Logan Moeller also collected All-NSIC honors with a third-place medal in the long jump, posting a top leap of 24' 5" which is also an NCAA provisional qualifying mark.
            Other medal winners for Wayne State Friday were Debonaire Williams taking fourth in the decathlon scoring 6,091 points while sophomore Daylin Mallory was fifth in the shot put at 53' 7 ¾".
            In Friday prelims, sophomore Keaton Wattier advanced to the finals of the 110-meter high hurdles with the third-fastest qualifying time of 14.25 seconds while Wakefield senior Gabe Peitz advanced to the finals in the 800-meter run with the #8 qualifying time of 1:58.03.
            The final day of the NSIC Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Mankato begins Saturday with field events at 11 a.m. and all running event final starting at 1 p.m.