MSU men’s and women’s track roundup

The split team competed in LA and Minnesota, with one jumper breaking a 40-year-old record

The MSU Track and Field team competed on April 14 and 15 as athletes from both the men and women’s team participated in events out west in California followed by a day in Minnesota. It was an eventful few days that even saw a 40-year-old record get broken.

First day action took place in Los Angeles as both squads were involved in the Cal State LA Twilight. The men’s team was able to get off to a good start with junior Myles Hunter in the 100-meter hurdles. Hunter took first place in the event as well as tying his fastest time of the season, 13.70, and the time was an automatic qualifying time.

Hunter also was a part of the 4×100 relay team along with senior Richard Wilhite Jr., junior Michael Sandle and freshman Paul Selman. They were not able to recreate their performance from last year coming in fourth place with a time of 41.19.

The Mavs saw some more success in the field events. In the long jump sophomore Geno Bullard made his season best jump and placed second in the process with his jump of 23’52”. Junior Alex Campbell also had a nice showing as he placed fifth with his jump of 22’63”. Freshman London Thurman took home a first place finish in the triple jump with a mark of 47’3.75”.

The next day the men carried over their momentum as they competed in the Mt. SAC Relays in Norwalk, California.

“Mike Sandle broke 40-year-old school record in the triple,” Coach Jim Dilling said.

Sandle had a better outing on this day as he secured a first place finish in the triple jump with his mark of 52’08”. The jump was not only good enough to break the record but is also the eighth best jump in the division.

Wilhite Jr. also ended the day placing a personal career best time of 21.01 in the 200-meter dash.

Meanwhile, back in Minnesota some of the men competed in the Concordia Holst Invitational. Freshman Reid Diamond had a great day, starting with a second place finish in the 400m with a time of 48.98, and he also placed sixth in the 100m. Diamond also played a role in the 4x400m relay with Javontee Brice, John Schuster and Tanner Ogren as they finished first with a meet-record time of 3:16:31.

A trifecta of second place finishes also happened when Derek Cruz finished the 3000m Steeple Chase at 9:53.56, Matthew Stocker in the 1500m at 3:59.62, and Logan Bristol in the high jump with a mark of 6.06.

“The team is looking to be in good position heading into an off weekend this weekend and getting geared up for Drake Relays next weekend,” Dilling said.

The women’s track and field team also participated in the Twilight Open. Khadiya Hollingsworth finished the day with a new personal best in the high jump with her leap of 5’8.75”. The jump qualified her provisionally for nationals as well as tying the second best jump in the entire Division II.

“Out in California Khadiya Hollingsworth won the high jump at Cal State LA with a jump of 5-8.75, currently no. 2 in the country,” said head coach Jennifer Blue.
Brianna Ziolkowski tied for sixth placed with a 5’2” jump and Kayla Lindell placed ninth.

In the pole vault event senior Faryn Wirkus was able to finish in second with a mark of 12’6”. Another second place finish was accomplished by Ariel Thomas in the triple jump with a leap of 39’1.40’. Megan Allen had a great outing in the 800-meters and placed second with her 2:16:73 time. Senior Brooke Foreman also had a personal best in the 400-meter hurdle by finishing at 1:03.65.

The next day at the Long Beach State Invitational Wirkus cleared 13-0 in the pole vault while Hollingsworth placed third in the high jump clearing 5-7.

“Faryn jumped 13-0.25 at Long Beach State to move up to no. 4 in the country,” said Blue.

Meanwhile in Minnesota at the Lee Krough Invitational freshman Gabi Gaines finished first in the 100m with her 12.30 time as well as securing second in the 200m by finishing with a time of 25.15. Junior Taylor Glenn had another first-place finish for the Mavs in the 400m hurdles with her time of 1:04.66.

Another set of second place finishes happened with Lexi Platz in the discus, freshman Kim Wrey in the 100m hurdle with her time of 59.55, Bri Holt in the 100m at a time of 12.25 and Marina Paul in the 5000m with a time of 18:31:64.

“The girls are performing well and looking forward to the Drake Relays next weekend and start peaking for the conference meet May 13-14 in Sioux Falls,” Blue said.
Both the men and women will be competing again this weekend in the Drake Relays.