Men's Track and Field Completes Day One of MVC Championships

Chicago, Ill. – Competing in first ever Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championship, the Belmont University men's track and field team has completed day one of competition inside the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track and Field Center at Gately Park in Chicago, Illinois.  

Belmont sits in seventh place following the opening day of action, led by Ethan Hammer who finished fourth in the 5000m with a time of 14:24.51. 

Ian Robertson began the meet for the men's side in the heptathlon where he currently holds sixth place with 2,535 points headed into Monday's final three events. 

Jayden Gray competed in two events; the 60m and the 200m. In the 60m, he finished in 7.03, earning 17th overall. In the 200m, he crossed in 22.26, claiming 19th overall.

Kevin Vanderkolk also competed in a pair of events, the one-mile run and the 800m. In the 800m, he finished in 1:53.47, securing the 11th spot overall. In the mile, he secured a spot in the finals on Monday with a time 4:15.94.

Jack Zettl ran in the mile as well and earned 12th overall at 4:16.56.

Rounding out distance, Jacob Ricks joined Hammer in the 5000m and finished in the 16th overall slot.

In the distance medley relay, the Bruins saw Zach Brill, Mathew Miller, Joel Wolf and Gavin Morrow compete as they earned eighth in 10:28.49.

Switching to field events, Payton Culp and Nick Bazzoni both placed in pole vault. Culp took home eighth, clearing 4.60m while Bazzoni earned ninth, clearning 4.45m.

In weight throw, Jackson Grant earned 13th overall throwing, 16.07m while Robert Joseph finished closely behind in 14th at 15.24m.

"The throws crew did really well today. They came in and competed with confidence, and they each placed even with or higher than where they were ranked going in, which is a big accomplishment," assistant coach Joe Frye said. "Jackson showed great promise in the weight throw with a huge personal best on his last throw, which will set him up well for tomorrow's shot comp."

Belmont's complete list of competitors Sunday in Chicago with overall event results can be found below.  


 

Sunday, Feb. 26 

Men's Heptathlon (Day 1 thru 4 of 7 Events) 

Ian Robertson | 6th – 2,535 (755 60m, 736 Long Jump, 492 Shot Put, 552 High Jump) 

60m (Prelims) 

Jayden Gray | 17th – 7.03 

200m (Prelims) 

Jayden Gray | 19th – 22.26  

800m (Prelims) 

Kevin Vanderkolk | 11th – 1:53:47 

One-Mile Run (Prelims) 

Kevin Vanderkolk | 6th – 4:15.94  

Jack Zettl | 12th – 4:16.56  

5000m 

Ethan Hammer | 4th – 14:24.51 

Jacob Ricks | 16th – 15.01.64 

Zac Shaffer | DNS 

DMR 

Joel Wolf, Mathew Miller, Zach Brill and Gavin Morrow | 8th – 10:28.49 

Pole Vault 

Payton Culp | 8th – 4.60m 

Nick Bazzoni | 9th – 4.45m 

Trey Collins | NH 

Weight Throw 

Jackson Grant | 13th – 16.07m  

Robert Joseph | 14th – 15.24m  



What's Next
Ian Robertson will begin Monday's action for the Bruins as he resumes the heptathlon at 9:30 a.m.

The second and final day of the 2023 MVC Indoor Championships will be broadcast on ESPN+ beginning at 11:15 a.m.   
 

Follow Belmont men's track and field on social media - @BelmontXCTF on Twitter, @belmontxctf and @belmontthrows on Instagram and @BUXCTF on Facebook - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. 

#ItsBruinTime