DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque men's track and field team opened up the indoor season Saturday afternoon as they hosted the Moco Mercer Open. The Spartans claimed seven champions on the afternoon including Jacob Edwards making a statement early in the season to move into the top five in the country in his event, the men's shot put. Visiting teams included Augustana College, Clarke, Sauk Valley Community College, and Edgewood College.
 
Last season's indoor national championships runner-up Blake Hardison opened up his season by winning the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.10. The senior will look to return to the indoor national championships. In the mile run, Aiden Mohr claimed the championship with a time of 4:26.64. Senior Andrew Hutchinson had a strong opener in the 600m with a time of 1:20.55. Senior Otis Patterson broke the facility record in route to winning the 300m dash with a best of 35.33. Ethan Stoker continues to climb up the top ten list in the pole vault. The reining indoor conference runner-up improved on his height from last season with a clearance of 4.65m. Stoker currently sits second all-time at the University of Dubuque. The 4x400m relay team of Matt Haerle, Logan Karottu, Blake Hardison, and Kaden Miller claim the win in the event running a time of 3:29.00. In the shot put, Jacob Edwards won event with a huge lifetime personal best of 17.15m. That throw currently has him sitting tied for second nationally in Division III.
 
 
University of Dubuque Top Three Finishes
 
60m hurdles 
1 Blake Hardison - 8.10 

60m dash
3 Jaylen Bell - 7.05
 
1 Mile Run
1 Aiden Mohr - 4:26.64
2 Anthony Carney Jr. - 4:26.85
3 Trentyn Gilges - 4:30.27 

600m run
1 Andrew Hutchinson - 1:20.55 

1000m run
2 Logan Karottu - 2:40.48
3 Hunter Snyder - 2:41.23 

300m dash
1 Otis Patterson - 35.33
2 Jaberrius Peake - 35.36
4 Nolan Lentz - 35.85
(All broke facility record)
 
3000m run
3 Aiden Mohr 9:19.00 

Weight Throw
2 Zach Sanford - 16.62
3 Zach Steffensen - 16.57 

Shot Put 
1 Jacob Edwards - 17.15m
2 Dakota Hoffman -15.69m
3 Zach Sanford -14.26m

Triple Jump
2 Jakhari Anderson - 13.42m
3 Akim Baba Traore - 13.20m
 
High Jump 
3 Otis Patterson - 1.90m
 
Pole Vault 
1 Ethan Stoker - 4.65m
3 Braden Troeger - 3.80m
 
4x400m relay
1 University of Dubuque (Matt Haerle, Logan Karottu, Blake Hardison, Kaden Miller) - 3:29.00

Up Next
The Spartans return home to A.Y. McDonald Track next Saturday with the Spartans Shootout. Field events begin at 10:30 a.m. with running event starting at 11:00 a.m.