North Dakota State throwers continued their strong performances as the Bison track and field teams took part at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa.

Steffan Stroh and Maddy Nilles captured the men’s and women’s collegiate hammer throws. Stroh’s toss of 217-9 (66.39 m) was the second-best mark of his career in the event. The junior Nilles threw 205-8 (62.69 m) for the title.

The Bison women have claimed one event in each Drake Relay since 2014.

Elsewhere at the competition, the Bison shot put teams preformed well. The Bison men put three into the top 10. Payton Otterdahl led the charge with a toss of 60-06 (18.46m). Stroh threw for 58-10.75 (17.95), and Michael Keogan went for 56-06.75 (17.24 m).

On the women’s side, NDSU placed a pair on the podium. Courtney Pasiowitz took home second with a throw of 53-09.75 (16.40m). Right behind her was Bailey Retzlaff with a career best 52-08 (16.05 m) for third place.

Just off the podium was Shelby Gunnells with a toss of 51-05.75 (15.69m) for fifth. Maggie Schwarzkopf made it four Bison in the top 10 with a throw of 49-07.25 (15.12 m) to finish seventh.

Other top Bison performances came from Lauren Gietzen in the pole vault. The senior cleared 13-03.50 (4.05m) to claim second place.

Piper Jensen continued her impressive senior campaign with a third-place result in the long jump with a leap of 19-08 (5.99 m).

Kari Wolfe threw 144-10 (44.16 m) in the javelin for third place.

In the men’s javelin, Austin Schmidt also claimed third place with a throw of 202-11 (61.86 m).

On the track, Alyssa Lind, Alexis Woods, Peyton Frolek and Deidre Hahn posted the fasted 4x400m relay in the Summit League this year. The quartet clocked a 3:42.32 to finish seventh.

The men’s 4x400m relay moved into second place in the Summit League this year. J.T. Butler, Jacob Richter, Byrne Curl and Matt Neururer clocked a 3:15.35 in prelims, but just missed out on finals.