Peper breaks school record, takes second in MIAC Decathlon

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Senior Stephen Peper of the St. Olaf College men's track and field team broke the school record while finishing as the runner-up in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Decathlon on Thursday and Friday at Carleton College's Laird Stadium.

Peper earned 6,623 points over the two-day, 10-event competition to finish as the runner-up to Maguire Petersen of Saint John's (6,677) for the second-straight year. The senior's score broke the previous school record of 6,592 set by Eli Knutson '19 in 2019 and currently ranks sixth in the country, positioning Peper to qualify for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

In addition to Peper's All-MIAC finish, sophomore Demetri Lord and senior Nick Edwards placed fifth and sixth, respectively, to secure Honorable Mention All-MIAC accolades. Lord registered 6,022 points to move into ninth on St. Olaf's all-time list in the decathlon, while Edwards picked up 5,709 points over the two days.

First year Andrew Cogley, sophomore Woody Rian, and first year Layton Borst also competed in the multi, finishing 10th, 12th, and 13th, respectively.

DAY ONE RECAP

Peper recorded top-two finishes in all five of Thursday's events, including first-place performances in the long jump, high jump, and 400-meter dash. The senior compiled 3,649 points over the five events to carry a 57-point lead over Maguire Petersen of Saint John's into day two.

To start the day, Peper established a personal-best time of 11.36 seconds in the 100-meter dash to tie for second in the event. He proceeded to win the long jump (6.40m) and place second in the shot put with a personal-best throw of 11.71 meters. Peper concluded the day with two more event victories to grab the lead back from Petersen, winning the high jump (2.00m) and 400-meter dash (50.31).

Lord and Edwards were also among the top six in the standings after collecting totals of 3,306 and 3,046 points, respectively. Lord won the 100-meter dash with a personal-best time of 11.11 seconds and was the runner-up in the 400-meter dash with a PR of 52.41 seconds, while Edwards had top-five finishes in the 100-meter dash (11.57), shot put (10.67m), and high jump (1.79).

DAY TWO RECAP

Petersen and Peper exchanged the lead in Friday's first three events before Petersen took the lead for good in the pole vault. Petersen stretched his lead to 152 points heading into the 1,500-meter run before Peper finished nearly 17 seconds ahead of the Johnnie in the final event of the day, but it was not enough to make up the deficit.

Peper started day two with a personal-best time of 16.73 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles, breaking his previous best time by over a second, to finish fourth in the event. He then gained over 50 points on Petersen after winning the discus throw with a throw of 39.03 meters – setting a PR in the event by nearly six meters – to take a 13-point lead on Petersen with three events to go.

The senior continued his run of PRs by clearing 3.70 meters in the pole vault and throwing the javelin 45.35 meters, but Petersen gained 165 points on Peper over the two events to take a 152-point advantage that allowed him to hold on in the 1,500-meter run. Peper's time of 4:49.69 in the 1,500 was his fifth PR in as many events on day two.

Lord's second day was highlighted by a runner-up finish in the 110-meter hurdles (15.57) and PRs in the final three events of the competition. The sophomore cleared 3.50 meters in the pole vault, logged a throw of 38.52 meters in the javelin throw, and broke his previous personal-best time in the 1,500-meter run by over seven seconds with a time of 4:53.18.

Edwards had a pair of third-place finishes on Friday, taking third in the discus throw at 35.59 meters and javelin throw at 46.22 meters. The throw in the javelin was a PR for the senior, who was also sixth in both the 110-meter hurdles (16.86) and pole vault (3.80m).

Cogley closed the competition with a first-place finish in the 1,500-meter run, clocking in at 4:24.73 to complete his first collegiate decathlon.

In its final meet before the MIAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, St. Olaf hosts the Ole Open on Saturday, May 7 at 11 a.m. at Manitou Track.

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