Seven different Bulldogs contributed points in individual events and another four did so in relay events as the University of Minnesota Duluth placed fifth for the second consecutive year at the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, which wrapped up today in Mankato, Minn.

Host Minnesota State University-Mankato successfully defended its team title, rolling up 163 points. The University of Sioux Falls was next with 120 points followed by Minnesota State University-Moorhead (96.50), Augustana College (94.50), UMD and St. Cloud State University (both with 45). A total of 12 schools took part in the two-day meet.

"I'm very happy with the performance," said UMD head coach Paul Nisius. "The guys battled extremely hard for every single point and I'm proud of their efforts."

Although no Bulldogs were crowned champions, second-place finishes were turned in by both senior team captain Phil d'Entremont (800-meter run in 1:53.77 -- a NCAA II provisional-qualifying mark) and sophomore Jason Lilja (high jump with a leap of 6'-08.00", also an NCAA II provisional qualifying mark). Other UMD point getters included junior James Ryan (5th in the 60-meter hurdles; 8.49), senior captain Nick Moran (6th in the weight throw; 55'-03.00" and 8th in the shot put 48'-09.50"), sophomore Boston Braack (6th in the 1,000-meter run; 2:35.19),  Drew Johnson (8th in the mile run; 4:27.16), freshman Frank Deluca (8th in the 600-meter run; 1:25.59) and sophomore Brian Lee (8th in the weight throw;  52'-05.25')

Johnson, freshman Connor Behm, sophomore Ben Hanson and freshman Grant Pulver took fifth in the distance medley relay (10:34.66) while Behm, DeLuca, d'Entremont and freshman Garrett Benz did likewise in the 4 x 400-meter relay with a time of 3:24.04.

2015 NSIC Indoor Track and Field Championship Results