The men’s and women’s track and field teams posted several solid performances while hosting athletes from Hamline University, St. Catherine University and the University of Minnesota in a non-scored meet at the Anderson Field House Friday.

Among the top male competitors for the Tommies were junior sprinter Cody Jerabek, who currently holds the fastest 60-meter dash time in the MIAC (6.95), and junior pole vaulter Jay May, who smashed his personal best height by clearing 14’9”.

Jerabek won the 60-meter dash with a winning time of 7.11. While the time is slower than his season’s best, Jerabek said that he runs better when he is chasing someone.

“The 60 is such a short race,” Jerabek said. “I can usually get a good start, but I race better when I see someone ahead of me that I have to chase.”

May won the pole vault competition. With the14’9 mark, May has vaulted himself into conference title contention.

“I am so excited,” May said.

May is hopeful that by posting his best height three weeks before the indoor conference meet, he will continue setting new personal records.

“We have not started tapering yet, so I know that I will keep making these heights and getting better with practice,” he said.

Another key first-place finish for the men’s team was junior jumper Eyo Ekpo’s 14.65 mark in the triple jump. Ekpo currently ranks first among MIAC jumpers in long jump, triple jump and high jump.

With the indoor conference meet approaching, May said that the team’s conditioning program will allow it to peak at the big meet.

“My teammates are focused on what they have to do to help the team,” May said. “People are going all out on the track and in the weight room. We are all dedicated and want to place well at the conference meet.”

Jerabek added that he does not expect his best performances to occur right now.

“By staying true to the program and really following the workouts, we will peak and get our best times at conference in March,” he said.

For the women’s team, the sprinters dominated in the short-distance events. Sophomore hurdler Mallory Burnham took first in the 60-hurdles (8.95). However, Burnham said that a technical issue with the finish line camera threw her off.

“Having to fix the camera and timer threw everyone off,” Burnham said. “I had to keep telling myself to focus and not let the delay get to me.”

Sophomore sprinter Emily Van Heel won the 200-meter dash (26.01). Van Heel currently holds the fastest 200 time in the MIAC. Last year, St. Thomas relied heavily on Van Heel’s speed and endurance in conference meets, but this led to injuries, something Van Heel focused on avoiding during this track season.

“Last year, I went too hard during workouts,” Van Heel said. “I eased into this season. While my times are a little slower than what I ran last year at this time, I feel good, and I am ready to run my best at conference.”

Two freshmen sprinters also stepped up in the short-sprint races. Twins Angela and Erika Tipp currently rank in the MIAC’s top ten in the 60, 200 and 400-meter dashes.

Coach Sweeney said the team is “very lucky” to have two athletes that can complete well in the three races.

“The Tipp twins have been a fantastic addition to our team,” he said.

Angela won the 400-meter dash on Friday (59.45), and Erika made it to the 60-meter dash finals with a prelim time of 8.04.

Like the men’s team, the Tommie women are anxious to start tapering and see how their hard work has payed off in the indoor season.

“I am OK with these times right now,” Van Heel said. “I know they will drop over the next two weeks, and I will have my best times in March.”

Burnham agreed.

“My times have already dropped significantly, so I know I will continue to work hard and be ready for the big race at conference.”

Hayley Schnell can be reached at schn3912@stthomas.edu.