MANKATO, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's track & field season opened on Saturday with the Cougars in action at the Chuck Petersen Open, hosted by Minnesota State University-Mankato. Out of 10 competing teams on the men's side, Minnesota Morris finished in seventh place with 17 points.

Twelve of the 17 points for the Cougars on Saturday came in one event. In the shot put, Cody Nye was third with a best throw of 45-2.25 (13.77 meters), capturing six points. Justin Robinson was one spot back of Nye in fourth place with a distance of 44-11.00 (13.69) to add five points. Bryan Zepeda tacked on one more point for the Cougars with an eighth-place finish in the event, recording a distance of 42-6.75 (12.97 meters).

Robinson had another point for Minnesota Morris in the weight throw, taking eighth place with an effort of 46.4.75 (14.14 meters). 

On the track, Liam Poitra earned four points for UMN Morris with a fifth-place finish in the 800 Meters, turning in a time of 2:19.46.

After returning to campus in the new year, Minnesota Morris will be back in action on Jan. 22 at the Cobber Open, hosted by Concordia-Moorhead.