Warriors Begin New Year at Dordt Open

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa — Midland University returned to competition Saturday for the first time in 2026 at the Dordt Open, hosted at the Holwerda Family Indoor Track on the campus of Dordt University. The Warriors competed in several events and recorded multiple top-10 finishes.

In the 60 meters, Aiden Mountain (7.20) and Mel-Lucas Mosetter (7.22) placed sixth and eighth, respectively. Mountain's preliminary time qualified him for the finals, where he finished fifth with a time of 7.11.

Braden Taylor recorded a top-five finish in the 600 meters, placing third with a personal-best time of 1:26.82.

Competing in the 800 meters, Christian Olsen finished sixth overall with a personal-best time of 2:05.13.

Continuing his strong season, Lucas Hjortkjaer led the field in the 1,000 meters, placing first with a time of 2:30.47.

The quartet of Jameson Painter, Aiden Mountain, Jason Jeffers and Triston Collins opened the new year with a strong showing in the 4x200-meter relay, finishing first overall in 1:35.59.

Lucas Hjortkjaer, Braden Taylor, Christian Olsen and Preston Penney followed with a standout performance in the 4x400-meter relay, placing third with a time of 3:39.02.

Midland recorded two top-five finishes in the long jump. Mosetter led the Warriors with a fourth-place jump of 6.18 meters, while Jeffers finished fifth at 6.14 meters.

Caleb Wagner rounded out the meet for Midland in the weight throw, leading the field with a first-place mark of 14.73 meters.

Up next, Midland will travel to Maryville, Missouri, on Jan. 17 to compete in the Coach Richard Alsup Open. The meet is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.