The stakes were high for the ISU men’s track and field team as it walked into its home-track to compete in the biggest meet of the indoor season. With loud echoing cheers flowing throughout the Lied Recreation Center in Ames, the hype for the start of the Big 12 Championships was undeniable.

The hard work the team put in to the season proved its worth when personal records were and multiple athletes advanced on to the finals.

Taylor Sanderson finished strong on day one of the men’s heptathlon in first with a score of 3,121 after four events, two of which were personal bests. Freshman Wyatt Rhodes also competed in his first career heptathlon. 

Christian DeLago and Brandon Wheat both punched in a spot to tomorrow’s final in the 1,000. DeLago also qualified in the mile with a time of 4:09.88.

Sanderson and sophomore Elijah Young received fourth and fifth place in their heat of the 60-meter hurdles with times of 8.25 and 8.31, proudly landing them a spot in tomorrow’s finals.

 “Coach told me ‘today we just want to ruin someone’s day,’” Young said. “And I think I did that.”

Jacob Hoogensen, a senior, took second place in his heat of the 600-yard run with personal best time of 1:11.49 that hasn’t been broken since the 2014 indoor season. Derek Jones, also taking second place in his heat with a time of 1:11.21, made it to tomorrow’s finals.

At his first ever Big 12 Championship, sophomore and former University Of Pittsburg thrower, Chris Celona, made a good first impression against the foe conference teams, throwing a 57-0. Along with it being a career high, it also landed him an eighth place finish.

“It’s always a good thing when you can have your lifetime best at the conference meet,” Celona said. “That’s where it counts and that’s why we’re here, to score points at the meet and help the team win.”

Towards the end of the night, Brandon Wheat, Deon Sanders, Jacob Aune and Dan Curtis had a strong finish in the distance medley relay taking fourth place with a time of 9:55.25.

The Cyclones will resume action Saturday morning at Lied Recreation Center.