DICKINSON, N.D. – Minot State University junior Johnny Lester (Sprints, Miami, Fla.) broke the school's 17-year-old record in the 100 meters as he ran a blazing 10.59 seconds to win the Dickinson State Last Chance Meet title and the label as MSU's fastest man Thursday.

Lester was already qualified for the NAIA National Meet next week, but improved his overall seed time. He was joined by fellow sprinter Khaldon Evans (So., St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica) in a successful final outing before the national meet as Evans qualified for nationals in the 200 meters with a 21.79.

“Johnny had a great start and that was a big part of his race,” said MSU head coach Stu Melby. “Johnny has really progressed this year and if he can do even better than this at nationals, it could put him in the upper echelon or in that All-American area.”

Lester broke the record of 10.74 set by two runners as Jerry Girard clocked the time in 1990 and Shane Wetzel again in 1993. Both times were converted to FAT.

“It is a credit to Johnny. He works hard, does whatever he is asked to do and pushes himself to get better,” Melby said. “He has gone to two indoor championships and that has helped him get better. It is also a credit to the coaching he has been getting from Reece (MSU assistant coach Reece Vega).”

The Beavers sent a limited amount of athletes to the meet, but had a solid day on the men's side. Along with Lester and Evans in the sprints, Zach Gaugler (Throws, Jr., Dunn Center, N.D.) set a PR in the hammer throw, just missing a national qualifying mark. He finished second in the event with a heave of 141-feet-9.

MSU's Kayla Montgomery (Sprints, So., Minot, N.D.) was the only women's individual to go to the meet, taking third in the 200 meters with a 25.98.

The Beavers travel to Marion, Ind., for 2010 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships held May 27-29