Track & field continue busy road trip

Aaron Young
Staff Writer

The men and women’s track and field were quite busy this weekend, traveling from the likes of Wisconsin, all the way to California.

Starting off with the Bryan Clay Invitational, two Mavericks sprinted to top 15 finishes in their respective races. For the women, Ebony Coby competed in the 200m dash and notched a time of 24.29, finishing seventh in the race. Morris Dennis represented the men’s team Saturday morning, running to a 12th place finish with a time of 47.99.

The weekend turned historic when four Mavs worked together to break the record in the 4X400m relay race. John Schuster, Reid Diamond, Isiah Pitchford and Tanner Orgen ran the relay in 3:09:41, beating the previous record made in 1993 of 3:12:20. Not only is that time record-breaking, it’s also the second-best time in D-II.

The women’s team ran a great time in the 4X100 relay race. The team of Eboni Coby, Autumn Santos, Afure Adah, and Grace Hartman finished second with a time of 45.72.

It was during the last day in the Phil Esten Invitational in La Crosse Wisconsin, though, that the Mavericks showed up. The Mavs sure did save their best for last, racking up 11 first place finishes and 17 top 5 finishes overall.

The women came into Wisconsin prepared and ready to run away from the competition. 10 individuals combined for seven first place finishes.

Gabi Gaines (100m) and Amelia Kjos (400m) sprinted to victory with times of 12.35 and 58.62. Bobbi Patrick (800m) and Erin Baker (1500m) went the distance and finished with times of 2:15:61 and 4:33:14.

The team of Simonson, Kjos, Woodard, and Gaines worked together to run a time of 3:56:60 in the 4X400 relay.

Junior Khadiya Hollingsworth jumped to victory with a top clear of 1.73 meters in the high jump.

Senior Sophia Simpson made the most of her race, hurdling her way to a first-place finish in the 400m hurdle in 1:04:17. The Mavericks also got second place in the top jump and third place in the discus throw.

The men also put in a workhorse effort as well, with four first place finishes and three top 3 finishes as well.

Sophomore sprinter Dalton Bialke had a time of 48.72 in the 400m while Leroy Kwateh had a time of 55.48 in the 400m hurdles.

Junior Victor Ogeka came out on top with a jump of 14.64 meters in the triple jump. Just like the women, the men got first place in the 4X400 relay with a time of 3:19:01. The team received second place in the 800m and 110 hurdles, and third place in the 400m.

The squad will be looking to continue the momentum this weekend in the Drake Relays. These will take place Des Moines, Iowa between Thursday and Saturday. The team will also send athletes to St. Peter, MN Saturday for the Drake Alternatives.

Photo: (Jeremiah Ayodele/MSU Reporter)