ALLENDALE, Mich. - IU Indianapolis men's track freshmen continued to excel on Saturday (Feb. 14) as the Jaguars split efforts between the GVSU Big Meet and Heartland Invitational in Indianapolis. Freshman Eli Oetken earned a runner-up finish in the 3,000m open at Grand Valley State while Zach Risner earned a heat win in the mile inside Fall Creek Pavilion. 

At GVSU, Oetken ran an impressive time of 8:31.68, taking 12 seconds off his previous best. Behind him, sophomore Joey LaPatra clocked a personal best time of 8:33.92 and Sam Grimes finished at 8:43.21. 

Meanwhile in Indy, Risner clocked a 4:24.64 mile to win his heat by a full second, surging from the middle of the pack to take the lead near the midpoint of the race. Nolan King ran a time of 4:26.70 and Carter Schorr ended his race at 4:45.03. 

The Jaguars will turn attention to the Horizon League Indoor Championships to be held in Youngstown, Ohio, on Feb. 28 and Mar. 1.