Cole Toepfer had himself quite the weekend at the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships. The University of Minnesota Duluth senior placed first in the mile, second in the 3,000-meter run, and third in the 5,000-meter run while finishing as the meet's co-leader in individual point production. He also helped lead the Bulldogs to a fifth-place showing at the two-day, 12-school meet which wrapped up Saturday afternoon in Bemidji, Minn.

Minnesota State University-Mankato successfully defended its team title, rolling up 184 points. Augustana College was next with 117 points followed by the University of Sioux Falls (86.50), St. Cloud State University (81), UMD (71) and the University of Mary (59).

"The guys gave it all they had over the weekend, especially the distance crew," said UMD head coach Paul Nisius. "Many of them competed in three or four races over the two days between prelims and finals. I asked a lot of them at this championship meet, and they responded to the challenge. I'm very proud and happy of their efforts and performances, and for most of the athletes it was a great way to end the indoor season."

Toepfer ran the mile in a time of 4:15.66 Saturday and the 5,000 meters that same afteroon in 14:57.60  after taking runner-up honors in the 3,000-meter event one day earlier. He totaled 24 points on the weekend, tying Robert Brockmueller of Sioux Falls for the top output by any individual. Others who accrued points for the Bulldogs Saturday included junior Dan Nielsen, who finished second in the 5,000-meter run, clocking in at 14:57.40. That broke the previous UMD mark of 15:03.72 set by Robb Winterfeld in 2004. Junior Phil d'Entremont took fourth in the 600-meter run (1:22.41) while juniors Scott Urban (1:55.95) and Chris Wilson (1:57.50) were fifth and eighth; respectively, in the 800-meter run. In addition, senior Jason Coffin (6th; 4:22.52), sophomore Joey Erickson (7th; 4:24.28) and senior Tyler Stevens (8th; 4:25.14) all came away with points in the mile run, with Coffin (5th; 2:33.08) and Stevens (6th; 2:33.76) doubling back to also place in the 1000 meters.

The men's team now awaits official word that Cole Toepfer has qualified for the NCAA Indoor National Championships in the mile and 3000 meters, as well as the distance medley relay with teammates (Stevens, d'Entremont, Wilson, Toepfer), which will be held on March 14th and 15th in Salem, NC.

2014 NSIC Indoor Track and Field Championship Results