RAPID CITY, SD (May 2025) – The South Dakota Mines track and field team topped off a great outdoor weekend with Cole Dobberstein advancing to the NCAA Championship in the 400-meter hurdles.

Dobberstein, who competed at Concordia University – Nebraska and the University of Nebraska at Kearney, was fresh off a RMAC title in the 400 hurdles and looking to solidify the provisional mark he set in April. He did just that – running a personal best time of 51.75 seconds, finishing second in his race at Concordia and shaving .03 seconds off his previous best. The performance moved him to 22^nd nationally, qualifying him for the NCAA Championships set for May 22-24 at CSU-Pueblo.

"This is quite the accomplishment for a true sophomore, and we're excited that Cole is representing South Dakota Mines at the Championships," said Joe Stephens, Mines track and field head coach.

The Hardrockers track and field competed across the country over the weekend in the NCAA Last Chance Qualifier competitions. To qualify for the NCAA Championships, an athlete must reach a provisional qualifying mark and, at season's end, be ranked in the top 22 individual events, top 16 combined events or top 16 in relay teams, to be selected.

Other Hardrockers with notable performances include:

• Senior Aidan Thompson, who competed at Azusa Pacific University two weeks after his RMAC win in the decathlon. Thompson battled through his 10 events, winning shot put, discus and the 1500m. He finished second overall but fell just short of achieving an improved national ranking. He is ranked 26^th in the country and will need athletes to scratch to gain a qualifying position in the top 16 decathletes.
• Senior Isaiah Thurman threw for a personal best of 56.43 meters (185'3"), but missed provisionally qualifying by less than three feet.
• Junior Joran Lamoreaux claimed victory in the 5,000-meter race at the Portland Twilight, staying with the lead pack until making his move with 1,200 meters to go. He surged ahead and closed his final lap in a swift 63 seconds, crossing the line in 14:57.11—over six seconds ahead of the field. The performance ranks him fifth all-time in Hardrocker history.
• A duo of seniors battled for the Hardrocker school record in the 1,500-meter race at Concordia – Nebraska. Owen Hansmann and Justin Quammen set lifetime PRs while finishing fourth and seventh, respectively, in the fast middle-distance race. Hansmann's time of 3:55.96 narrowly missed the school record by .62. Quammen came in close by at 3:57.84. They will both attempt to beat the school record again at a post-season meet next week in La Crosse, Wis.

 
###
 
MEDIA CONTACT
Michelle Pawelski
Communications Manager
Marketing and Communications
Michelle.pawelski@sdsmt.edu
605-394-6082
 
About South Dakota Mines
Founded in 1885, South Dakota Mines is one of the nation's leading engineering, science and technology universities. South Dakota Mines offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees and a best-in-class education at an affordable price. The university enrolls 2,579 students with an average class size of 24. The South Dakota Mines placement rate for graduates is 97 percent, with an average starting salary of $77,067. For these reasons, South Dakota Mines is ranked among the best engineering schools in the country for return on investment. Find us online at www.sdsmt.edu and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Snapchat.