NORTHFIELD, Minn. — Ross Kinderman (Onalaska, Wis.) had the rest of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference decathlon field right where he wanted them following the sixth even of the two-day, 10-event competition—in his rearview mirror. Unfortunately, the Cardinal freshman blew a tire—so to speak—tweaking a previous groin injury and forcing him to pull out of the competition. Phil Emmerich (Mondovi, Wis.) did his best to fill the void, as the Cardinal junior jumped from 11th after the first day to finish ninth. Joe Gardner (Chippewa Falls, Wis.), competing in his first MIAC decathlon, settled for a 14th-place showing.