Hemeyer Qualifies for Nationals with New Record in Steeplechase
Carter Hemeyer (JR/Hermann, Mo.) stamped his ticket to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Outdoor Men's Track & Field Championships on Saturday. He won the 3,000m Steeplechase with a UHSP record-breaking and national-qualifying time at the Sycamore Open hosted by Indiana State University in Terre Haute.
Hemeyer broke his own UHSP record from last season by more than six seconds, winning the event with a time of 9:23.42. The NAIA "A" standard for national qualification in the event is 9:24.0. His new record-time leads the American Midwest Conference (AMC) by 54 seconds and ranks 13th in the NAIA.
This is Hemeyer's second career qualification in the Steeplechase and third overall, having qualified for Cross Country nationals in 2021. Hemeyer ran 9:29.70 in the 3,000m Steeplechase last spring in the Carius/Gregory Invitational hosted by North Central College - a "last chance" meet in Naperville, Ill. The time set the UHSP record and qualified him for the national championships under the "B" standard time of 9:32.0.
Hemeyer is one of five men in UHSP history to qualify for the NAIA Championships in track and field. The 2023 Outdoor National Championships will be hosted by Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind., from May 24-26.
Gerald Osakwe (SO/Wentzville, Mo.) finished fourth of eight competitors in the High Jump on Saturday. He cleared 1.90m (6-0.75) on his first attempt, but was unable to get over the bar in three attempts at 1.95m.
Nick Fiacco (JR/Ladue, Mo.) finished fifth of 10 Javelin Throwers with a career-best mark of 40.19m (131-10.25). Teammate Colten Duvall (JR/Union, Mo.) was ninth at 34.87m (114-05).
Jeremy Smith (FR/St. Albans, Mo.) competed in his first track meet of 2023, finishing 20th in the 800m Run at 2:22.42.
This Thursday-Friday, May 4-5, the Eutectics will compete at the American Midwest Conference Outdoor Championships at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis.