Lenoir-Rhyne Outdoor Open results
Virginia Challenge complete results

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University sophomore distance specialist Jakob Rettschlag will remember his first competitive visit to the University of Virginia for many years, as he posted two NCAA provisional and WU school-record times in two days at the Virginia Challenge this weekend. The Bulldogs sent student-athletes to the one-day Lenoir-Rhyne Outdoor Open on Saturday, in addition to their participation in the multiple-day, UVA-hosted event.
 
On Saturday, Rettschlag posted a new school-record in the men's 800 meters with his NCAA provisional time of 1:51.25. The previous school standard belonged to Nepolian Patel, who ran a 1:53.68 during the 2016 season. On Friday, Rettschlag ran an NCAA provisional mark of 3:45.80 in the men's 1500 meters. His 1500-meters' mark is the No. 1 time in the South Atlantic Conference this season.
 
Wingate's Saturday Virginia Challenge highlights
 
- Sophomore Valerie Daehler finished tied for eighth in the women's high jump with her mark of 1.61 meters
- Graduate student Elliot Zirwas finished 10th in the men's shot put with his mark of 16.57 meters
- Senior Darius 'Dash' Weathers competed in the men's triple jump, posting a mark of 13.96 meters
 
Wingate men's highlights at Lenoir-Rhyne Outdoor Open
 
- The Bulldogs won three running events at the L-R Outdoor Open
- Soheil Boufrizi won the 3000-meter steeplechase (9:10.59), Leo Freeland won the 1500 (3:58.19) and Yonas Sauers won the 5000 (14:19.56)
- Boufrizi's steeplechase time is an NCAA provisional mark and the third-fastest in the South Atlantic Conference this season
- Sauers' clocking is also an NCAA provisional mark; it is the third-fastest in the SAC this year
- Wingate claimed the top five spots in the L-R Outdoor Open 3000-meter steeplechase
- Brent Surratt (9:17.52) and Jacob Willis (9:21.19) were second and third, respectively
- Dalton Miles (9:39.75) and Ward Janssen (9:45.93) were fourth and fifth, respectively, in the hurdling event
- The Bulldogs had six of the top seven finishers in the 5000 meters
- Sauers led the way, followed by Daniel Schmidt in third place with his time of 14:44.42
- Saul Valdez (14:49.63) and Scott Nutter (14:52.31) were fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 5000 meters
- Jacob-Kurtis Guy finished fifth in the 800 meters with his time of 2:01.64
 
Wingate women's highlights at Lenoir-Rhyne Outdoor Open
 
- Tatjana Mense was busy, claiming two bronze medals in Hickory
- Mense finished third in the 3000-meter steeplechase (11:37.98) and the 5000 meters (17:51.84)
- Her time in the 3000-meter steeplechase is the fifth-fastest in the SAC this season
- Zoe Brickley finished fourth in the 1500 meters, thanks to her time of 4:47.76
- Wingate had four runners in the top 17 in the same event
- Enora Toupin finished 10th with her time of 4:55.16 (PR)
- Ashleigh Thomson (5:01.21) and Abby Jeske (5:10.53) were 14th and 17th, respectively
 
Next on the Agenda
 
Both Wingate teams will compete in the South Atlantic Conference outdoor track and field championships May 5-6. Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina is the host for the 2022 event.
 
What They Are Saying
 
Wingate senior student-athlete Dalton Miles
 
"Despite the heat, the Bulldogs were able to secure the top five spots in the men's 3000-meter steeplechase. We have a strong group of steeplechasers and Saturday we worked together to achieve several personal-best times."
 
"Also, during the men's 5000 meters, several of us were pacers…we were entered in the 5K race to set the pace for our teammates. Leo Freeland, Jan Bayona, Soheil Boufrizi and myself feel accomplished as pacers knowing that several of our teammates secured new bests in the 5000 meters. It feels great to help fellow teammates succeed."
 
Wingate University
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as eight master's and five doctoral degrees. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; and the College of Professional Studies, which includes the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Wingate is a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 24 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 13 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.