This article is satirical and fake. It is a part of our annual Rectrum special, April Fools edition.
North Dakota State’s track and field teams recently delivered a historic performance at the prestigious Oregon Track Festival, breaking records throughout the week. The meet that was held in Eugene, Oregon, attracted some of the top collegiate and professional athletes, but it was the Bison athletes who stole the spotlight, breaking multiple school records in front of a roaring crowd at Hayward Field.
The standout moment of the weekend came in the men’s 110-meter hurdles, where redshirt freshman Brooks Turner shattered the previous school record with a blistering 12.94 seconds. Turner, who has just started running for the Bison, surpassed the old mark set in 2018 by nearly half a second, a remarkable mark in such a field. His performance earned him a first-place finish, and it was his record-breaking time that had fans and coaches roaring with excitement.
“I’ve been working hard for moments like this,” Turner said after the race. “To see all the effort and the support from my teammates come together in such a big moment is truly special. Breaking the record at a place like Oregon makes it even sweeter.”
Another highlight came in the women’s pole vault, where junior Allison Otto-Fitzsimons set a new school record, clearing 12-10.75 meters. Allison’s leap topped the previous NDSU record set in 2022, and her performance placed her first in a field full of elite vaulters. The jump also secured her a qualification for the upcoming NCAA Regional Championships.
“I knew I was in good shape heading into the meet, but to clear a personal best and break the school record at such an iconic venue—it’s an incredible feeling,” Otto-Fitzsimons remarked.
The Bison’s success wasn’t limited to individual events. The men’s 4×400-meter relay team also made a significant mark, clocking in at 3:08.12, which was not only a school record but also the fastest time in the Summit League this season.
Head coach Stevie Keller expressed his pride in the team’s performance: “This weekend was a huge step forward for our program. To see so many athletes step up and perform at the highest level in such a competitive field speaks to the talent and hard work we have in our program.”
With the records tumbling and the team’s confidence at an all-time high, the Bison are set for an exciting rest of the season, with eyes now set on the NCAA Championships later this spring.