University of Minnesota Duluth senior thrower Jackson Weston led the way Friday at the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships inside Malosky Stadium.

The Grand Rapids, Minn. native finished second in the shot put with a throw of 17.65, improving on his fourth place finish in late February in the NSIC Indoor Championships. Weston also finished eighth in the hammer throw with a toss of 51.40. Other field highlights was a eighth place finish from sophomore Sophie Mahnke in the high jump with a season-best effort of 1.59m, while sophomore Noah Rodenwald jumped a 4.67m jump in the pole vault for seventh place.

On the track, which was mostly prelims on Friday, senior Maddie Verkerke was impressive in the 800m, finishing second with the 75th fastest NCAA DII time this year -- a 2:12.02. The 800 favorite sets up favorably for Saturday for Verkerke, who will be looking towards a podium finish in her last collegiate meet.

Sophomore Reid Olson turned in the 88th fastest NCAA DII time in the 400m hurdle prelims with a time of 53.75.

Both Junior Nolan Bakken and senior Elizabeth VanLoon finished 10th in the 3,000m steeple finals. Bakken ran a 9:56.73, while VanLoon ran to a 11:28.70.

The three-day meet will wrap up on Saturday inside Malosky Stadium. The first event will get underway at 10:00 a.m.