TAMPA, Fla. – The North Dakota State men's track & field team opened the 2023 outdoor season with a number of standout performances at the USF Bulls Invitational in Tampa on Friday. The Bison claimed three event titles.
 
All-American Benji Phillips won the javelin with a season-opening throw of 235-7 (71.82m). Matt Kraft threw a significant personal-best of 228-7 (69.69m) in the javelin – 22 feet further than his previous best – and he now ranks fifth all-time at NDSU.
 
Senior Trevor Otterdahl took second place in the hammer throw, throwing 224-6 (68.44m) for the second-best mark of his career, which puts him No. 2 in the nation early this outdoor season.
 
Senior Jacob Rodin won the 800m in 1:48.00 for his opener – a new outdoor personal-best, and the second-fastest outdoor 800m in NDSU history.
 
NDSU's Josh Knutson won the 400m hurdles, running 52.59 for the second-fastest time of his career.
 
Freshman Jarod White cleared 16-08.75 (5.10m) in the pole vault to place fourth in the meet, tying for No. 4 all-time at NDSU after his first collegiate outdoor meet. Jacob Van Dusseldorp cleared an outdoor personal-best 16-04.75 (5.00m) to rank 10th-best in school history.
 
The Bison men placed 2-3-4-5 in the shot put, led by Otterdahl in second at 62-02.50 (18.96m). Cam Landis took third at 59-00.00 (17.98m), Clayton Hannula was fourth at 58-11.25 (17.96m), and sophomore Kaden Pastian threw a big personal-best of 58-08.75 (17.90m) for fifth.
 
Jacob Levin ran 21.35 in the 200m dash for 13th place. Freshman Blake Nyenati clocked 21.97.
 
Competition will continue Saturday at the USF Bulls Invitational.