In track and field, rhythm is the key to having success. The ISU men found their rhythm this weekend and the success was seen immediately.

After finishing 11th last year, the Cyclones pulled out a ninth-place effort, their best finish since 2000. The Cyclones’ 49 points were also the most points scored by the team since 2000.

“The athletes really competed hard and I was proud of our effort. I think we’re starting to turn the corners in some areas and it was exciting to be second after the first day,” head coach Cory Ihmels said.

Friday night was a big night for the team, with good individual performances from Goar Marial and Kiel Uhl in the 5,000 meter run with second and third-place finishes, and Zac Brouillette finishing third in the weight throw.

“I was happy but not satisfied,” Brouillette said, “A guy came back and took over second with two throws left and I toe fouled on my last throw, but overall I put together a great series. I just tried to give the team a boost, just tried to come out hard and start with a bang.”

Assistant coach John Dagata said Brouillette’s third -place finish really set the bar for the team this weekend.

“It was the first event and that really made a big deal … but that’s true leadership, when we have someone like Zac Brouillette, who can step out there and take control like that. That’s a big deal; if you want to jump into a major competition and make an impact that’s how you do it.”

Marial also said his and Kiel’s runs really boosted the morale of the team.

“It kind of set the momentum. After Kiel and I finished second and third … it made the guys on the team excited,” he said.

Friday night, however, wasn’t the only success the Cyclone men saw. The team took advantage of the success its teammates had in the previous day and scored more points.

“We had some good momentum going into Saturday,” Ihmels said, “And it seemed like, on Saturday, every time we stepped on the track good things would happen.”

Hillary Bor got things rolling on Saturday with his second -place finish in the mile, and James Galvan continued that with a seventh-place finish in the 800-meter run. The Cyclones also performed well off the track on Saturday as Luke Pinkelman garnered a second place finish in the shot put.

Ihmels was also impressed with Bor’s performance this weekend.

“Hillary Bor had a tremendous weekend, he ran the prelims for the mile on Friday night and then anchored our distance medley which finished fifth. After the prelims came back and ran a gutsy race in the mile finals and beat some really good guys. Then he was able to run the 3,000 meters and just missed scoring in that, so he really had a great weekend,” Ihmels said.

Overall, Ihmels said his team performed very well, but at the same time could have done better.

“Once you get in the meet, your expectations get higher,” Ihmels said. “We had seventh place in our eyes and I think we left some points on the board but overall I felt good.

“I thought everybody really bought into competing hard, and that’s the first time in a while that has happened for us. I think that’s a positive sign.”