DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 6, 2023) – In its first action as the top-ranked team in NCAA Division III, the Loras College men's track & field team showcased some of its strengths with three event wins and 12 top-three performances at Saint Ambrose University's Easter Weekend Meet.

Senior Josh Smith went fastest out of all 34 competitors in the 100-meter dash with an 11.07 time in the finals, which matched his preliminary time. Junior Dayvion Foreman followed closely in second place with an 11.08 while junior Derik Bunten completed the top-three sweep with an 11.09.

Loras' other notable finish on the track came from freshman Matt Kruse, who took first out of four racers in the 110-meter hurdles with a 15.29 time.

In the field, numerous strong Duhawk performances were highlighted by junior Holden Murphy as he took the top spot in the hammer throw with a 52.76-meter mark. Senior Neal Eckhoff finished as the runner-up with a 49.31-meter mark.

Murphy earned himself yet another top-two as he finished as the runner-up in the discus with a toss of 47.39 meters. Freshman Dre Jackson also came second in the shot put as his bet throw of 15.58 meters ranks him ninth in program history after the first outdoor meet of his career.

Senior Ray Venditti had himself a strong day as well as he earned a pair of runner-up finishes with a 4.45-meter mark in the pole vault and a 1.98-meter mark in the high jump that actually tied for the best clearance. Senior Matt Bandy earned a 1.93-meter mark in the high jump to place third in the event.

The Duhawks will be off this weekend before their next event on Saturday, April 15, at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Invite.