Apr. 13, 2007

[complete results]

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Bemidji State University's Zac Preble (Fr., Coleraine, Minn.) wrapped up decathlon competition at the Papa John's D-II Challenge earning second place in cold and wet conditions in Manhattan, Kan. Preble's 6,487 not only sets a new BSU outdoor record, he provisionally qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships in just his first outing of the 2007 season. Fellow Beaver Michael Hougen (Sr., Bemidji, Minn.) took eighth in the event.

Preble used a pair of individual event wins in the shot put (47-08) and the discus (141-09) to finish just 51 points behind Fort Hays State University's Alen Yoder (6,538) who took home the decathlon title. The BSU freshman finished 200 points ahead of third place competitor Cameron Babb of hosting Emporia State University (6,287).

Preble's final total in the event edges John Pietila, former BSU outdoor decathlon record-holder by two points.

Senior Michael Hougen also participated in the challenge earning two team points for the Beavers earning an eighth place piling up 5,476 points.

The rest of the Bemidji State men's and women's track and field teams open the 2007 outdoor season Saturday in Moorhead, Minn. at the Dragon Invitational.

--bsu--