North Dakota State Men's Track & Field Shines at Big Red Classic

Junior shot putter Pastian breaks into NCAA top 50 rankings with personal best performance

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:35am

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An extreme close-up of a shot putter's muscular arms and torso, captured in a burst of neon-colored, expressive brushstrokes that convey the raw power and energy of the sport.A powerful display of athletic prowess as a North Dakota State shot putter breaks into the NCAA's elite rankings.Lincoln Today

The North Dakota State men's track and field team concluded its participation in the Big Red Classic hosted by the University of Nebraska on Saturday, April 18, 2026, with notable individual performances highlighted by junior shot putter Pastian, who moved into the NCAA's top 50 rankings in the event following his mark in the competition.

Why it matters

North Dakota State has consistently ranked among the top mid-major track and field programs in the nation, with multiple athletes earning All-American honors in recent seasons. Pastian's achievement in breaking into the NCAA's top 50 shot put rankings underscores the program's strength in developing elite throwers through technical coaching, strength training, and competitive exposure.

The details

Pastian recorded a throw of 18.42 meters (60 feet 5 inches) in the shot put final, a personal best and the second-best mark in program history for the Bison. The performance elevated him to 48th in the current NCAA Division I men's shot put rankings, according to the latest standings released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

  • The Big Red Classic was held on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
  • Pastian's throw of 18.42 meters was a personal best and the second-best mark in NDSU program history.

The players

Pastian

A junior shot putter for the North Dakota State men's track and field team who recorded a throw of 18.42 meters, a personal best and the second-best mark in program history, elevating him to 48th in the current NCAA Division I men's shot put rankings.

Malik Johnson

A senior sprinter for the North Dakota State men's track and field team who ran a wind-legal 10.38 seconds in the 100-meter preliminaries, just shy of the automatic qualifying standard for the NCAA West Preliminary Round.

Elias Moore

A junior distance runner for the North Dakota State men's track and field team who placed fourth in the 1,500 meters with a time of 3:48.91, a season-best effort that positions him within striking range of Summit League qualifying marks.

Jeremy Fischer

The head coach of the North Dakota State men's track and field program, in his eighth season with the Bison.

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What they’re saying

“To break into the top 50 nationally is a testament to the work we've put in all season. This team pushes me every day, and to see that reflected in a performance like this means a lot.”

— Pastian, NDSU men's track and field athlete

“These early-season competitions are about progression, not perfection. We're building toward peak performance in May and June, and events like this help us identify what's working and where we need to refine.”

— Jeremy Fischer, Head coach

What’s next

The North Dakota State track and field program will compete in the Summit League Championships scheduled for May 1–3, 2026, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Qualification for the NCAA Preliminary Round will be determined through a combination of automatic marks and at-large selections based on season-long performance lists.

The takeaway

Pastian's achievement in breaking into the NCAA's top 50 shot put rankings highlights the strength of the North Dakota State men's track and field program in developing elite throwers. The team's consistent performance at the national level underscores its status as one of the top mid-major programs in the country.