Indoor Track season concludes, athletes hope to transfer success outdoors
March 23, 2023
The 2022 Indoor Track and Field season has concluded for both the men’s and Women’s teams. The precursor to the spring season has been an exciting look at our star athletes, and many even made the trip to Nationals. With a wide array of disciplines showing promise going into the spring, Track and Field is continuing to be a shining star for Viterbo athletics.
Viterbo’s headlining athletes from last season continued displaying their individual athletic abilities in both Track races and Field events. While not every feat during the season can be covered, it was another all-around great season for Viterbo Track and Field.
Viterbo University is enjoying another year of great jumpers, headlined by returning All-American’s Gregory Jenkins and Justin Moore. At the NSAA Conference Meet this year in Brookings, S.D., Jenkins took home two gold-medal first-place finishes and booked himself a trip to Indoor Nationals. Jenkins won the Triple Jump event with 13.29 meters, and the Long Jump, flying 6.80 meters. He also competed in the High Jump and took fourth place with a leap of 1.96 meters.
Justin Moore, a senior jumper and Viterbo’s All-Time furthest long jumper, continued to prove why he is one of the best in the NAIA, even though he did not compete at the NSAA Championships. At the 2023 USA Track and Field Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., Moore broke his own personal best by .12 meters, leaping 7.52 meters. In the finals, he broke it again, launching himself 7.58 meters. This put him fifth in the event and would place him first in the NAIA for the indoor season.
Jalen Anderson has been another showcase of athleticism for the teams, competing in sprinting and jumping events for the V-Hawks. He took home first place at the NSAA Championships in the 60-meter hurdles, with a time of 8.30. He also medaled in the Long Jump, leaping 6.68 meters.
Athletes competing at the NAIA Indoor National Tournament made the trip back to Brookings, S.D. On the men’s side, Gregory Jenkins took 17th place in the Long Jump with a best jump of 6.93 meters. Jalen Anderson also competed and took 14th place in the 60 Meter Hurdles.
For the Women, there were five athletes that competed at nationals. Tess Durscher, Emma Johnson and Bailey Nuutinen all competed in the Pole Vault. Nuutinen was the top finisher for the V-Hawks, reaching 3.52 meters. Clair Shepardson competed in the 60-meter hurdles, running a 9.22 and placing 39th. Brianna Ihde finished 27th in the 60-meter dash, running in 7.79 seconds.
It has already been another action-packed season of Track and Field, and the outdoor season has not even begun. Multiple competitors gained experience on the biggest stage, and they will have the opportunity to build off that momentum when outdoor events begin. Viterbo’s Track and Field teams are stacked with high-caliber athletes, and the Spring 2023 season is shaping up to be one of great promise for Viterbo Track and Field.
