Pittsburg, Kan. --- The Minnesota State men's track and field team had a busy weekend sending athletes to multiple meets in the Midwest.

At the Wendy's/PSU Invitational in Pittsburg, Kansas, the Mavericks had a few athletes already provisionally qualify for nationals. Senior Richard Wilhite, Jr. qualified provisionally in the 100-meter dash by placing third in a time of 10.61. He also qualified provisionally in the 200-meter dash in 21.16 while placing second.

In the 400-meters, the Mavericks took the fifth-seventh spots. Leading the way was freshman John Schuster in 49.47, he was followed by Javontee Brice(49.61), and Reid Diamond (49.76). The 800-meter dash saw senior Brendan Gessner place eighth with a time of 1:58.71. Austin Pasch impressed with his first effort of the outdoor season with a first-place finish in the 1500-meters finishing in 3:58.85.

MSU was well represented in the 5000-meter run with three Mavericks in the top-five. Taking second-place in his outdoor debut for the Mavs was freshman Derek Cruz (15:17.59). He was followed by fellow freshman Caleb Burke in third (15:17.64), and senior Matt Longen in fourth (15:27.79).

The 4x100 relay team consisting of Brice, Geno Bullard, Geno Bullard, and Whilhite saw its first action of the season finishing third with a time of 41.42. 

The field events saw Frank Veldman place second in the high jump with a leap of 6'6.75''. Alex Campbell placed eighth with a jump of 6'02.75''. Campbell had a strong showing in the triple jump by placing second with a leap of 49'03.50'', which qualifies provisionally. London Thurman placed fifth with a jump of 46'08''.

The Mavericks also traveled to Des Moines, Iowa to compete in the Grand View Invitational.  Sophomore Sam Udermann finished fourth in the discus at 144'08".  He followed that by also finishing fourth in the hammer throw with a toss of 162'09". Rounding out his day in the shot put he finished sixth with a throw of 45'05.75''.  Fellow sophomore Dustin Gill placed fifth in the shot put with a toss of 46'03.25''. Rounding out the throwers competing was junior Bryan Caffin finishing second in the hammer throw (172'00'') and fourth in the shot put (46'06.25'').

Three Mavericks traveled to compete in the Hershel Neil Decathlon in Maryville, Mo. After day one Anyah Nutter leads the Mavs in second place with a total score of 3494. He trails first place by 34 points. Joe Williams (3225) and Logan Brist0l (2993) currently sit in fifth and sixth, respectively.

Results from the Grand View Invitational may be viewed HERE.

Wendy's/PSU Invitational results may be viewed HERE.

The Herschel Neil Decathlon results can be viewed HERE.

The Mavericks return to action next weekend as they travel to Sioux Falls S.D. to participate in the Vance Butler Invitational.