The University of Minnesota Duluth men's track team got their indoor season underway today in Mankato, Minn. at the President Davenport Triangular. 

"I thought our team had a good day today" said men's track and field coach Paul Nisius. " The goal of today's meet was to try and earn a potential qualifying mark for the indoor conference championships on Friday". "Considering this was the first competition in 51 weeks for returning members of the team, they performed well" said Nisius. 

Eight Bulldogs recorded top three finishes today in running events. Sophomore Jordan Gruenes finished third in the 600-meter run posting a time of 1:25.08. Junior Jonathan Tostenson took first place in the mile run with a time of 4:26.85. Junior Cole Fechner finished first in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:58.39. In the 1000-meter run, senior Cole Lebourgeois took first place with a time of 2:34.25. Senior Braydon Kubat took first place in the 3000-meter run with a time 8:58.42, senior Owen Smalley took second place posting a time of 9:03.23, and freshman Mikey Kvaal finished third with a time of 9:22.52. In the 5000-meter run Junior Matthew Trutna finished in first place with a time of 15:31.52 and sophomore Lucas Selman finished in second with a time of 15:38.27. 

Three Bulldogs recorded top three finishes in field events. Senior Ian O'Connor finished third in high jump posting a height 1.90 meters (6-02.75). Junior Avery Hunt finished third in long jump posting a length of 6.25 meters (20-06.25). Sophomore Mathew Caines took second place in the triple jump posting a length of 13.17 meters (43-02.50). 

"Overall many members of the team did earn a qualifying spot mark today for the conference championships while some others are on the bubble and will need to wait until Wednesday morning when final declarations are revealed" said Head Coach Paul Nisius. 

Next up for UMD is the NSIC Indoor Championships next Thursday and Friday in Mankato, Minn.