VERMILLION, S.D. -- North Dakota junior Roman Waldera broke the school record in the weight throw today at the USD Open, UND's final tune-up prior to next week's Big Sky Conference Indoor Championship.
Waldera recorded a throw of 57 feet, 9 inches (17.60), toppling the previous UND record of 54-8.75 set by Josh Haugan in 2006. The Minot, N.D., native placed second in the event.
Teammate Shawn Johnson (Jr., Eveleth, Minn.) achieved a personal-record and placed fifth in the weight throw with a mark of 55 feet, 3 inches (16.84 inches). Johnson was also the runner-up in the shot put with a throw of 55 feet, 3 ½ inches (16.85), just shy of another personal record.
Freshman Romon Bridges (Stockton, Calif.) was the runner-up in the 400-meter dash, crossing the line in 51.37 seconds, while Dwight Mandimika (Jr., Harare, Zimbabwe) was third in the 800-meter run with a time of 1 minute, 58.99 seconds.
Other notable performances for UND included freshmen Jimmy Evers (Grand Forks) and John LeClerc (Grafton, N.D.) placed third and fourth, respectively, in the 60-meter hurdles. Evers clocked a time of 8.43 seconds, with LeClerc right behind at 8.55 seconds.
UND now sets its sights on its first-ever Big Sky Conference Indoor Championship, set for next Friday and Saturday in Bozeman, Mont.
Waldera recorded a throw of 57 feet, 9 inches (17.60), toppling the previous UND record of 54-8.75 set by Josh Haugan in 2006. The Minot, N.D., native placed second in the event.
Teammate Shawn Johnson (Jr., Eveleth, Minn.) achieved a personal-record and placed fifth in the weight throw with a mark of 55 feet, 3 inches (16.84 inches). Johnson was also the runner-up in the shot put with a throw of 55 feet, 3 ½ inches (16.85), just shy of another personal record.
Freshman Romon Bridges (Stockton, Calif.) was the runner-up in the 400-meter dash, crossing the line in 51.37 seconds, while Dwight Mandimika (Jr., Harare, Zimbabwe) was third in the 800-meter run with a time of 1 minute, 58.99 seconds.
Other notable performances for UND included freshmen Jimmy Evers (Grand Forks) and John LeClerc (Grafton, N.D.) placed third and fourth, respectively, in the 60-meter hurdles. Evers clocked a time of 8.43 seconds, with LeClerc right behind at 8.55 seconds.
UND now sets its sights on its first-ever Big Sky Conference Indoor Championship, set for next Friday and Saturday in Bozeman, Mont.
