SPOKANE - Lewis-Clark State College sophomore Kelsey Klettke qualified for the NAIA national outdoor track and field meet in a second event, while freshman Dave Marks posted the fastest time in two heats during the opening day of the Duane Hartman Invitational at Spokane Falls Community College on Friday night.
Klettke and Marks both competed in the 5,000-meter run, which joined the hammer as the two lone events on Friday night.
Klettke's exact time was unavailable late Friday night, but Warrior coach Mike Collins said her time will qualify her for nationals in the event as well as be a school record. Klettke, who is from Vancouver, Wash., already has qualified for nationals in the 1,500. Teammate Shaelie Edwards, a freshman, also set a personal best in the race, but her time was not available.
Marks won the faster of the two men's heats in a school-record time of 14 minutes and 46 seconds, which broke his school record from earlier this year by six seconds. Sophomore Grant Eldridge posted a time of 15:17 and just missed the national qualifying time by five seconds. Sean Huey also competed in the heat for LCSC.
Teammate Jake Miller won the other 5,000 heat and also set a personal best, while freshman Conor Thompson also set a personal best in the race, although official times were not available for either runner.
In the men's hammer competition, Collins said junior Jake Meyer of Grangeville set a personal best as well.
"We had PRs (personal records) across the board, which was nice to see," Collins said. "Hopefully we will have some more tomorrow when the meet continues."
Saturday's events begin at 10 a.m.
