By Jonathon Zenk, NorthWestern State Assistant Director of Communications; featured photo by Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services
FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas/PITTSBURG, Kansas—Another day, another school record broken by the Northwestern State track & field teams.
For the second time in as many meets, the men’s 4×400 relay team was the record breaker.
After running a 3:10.87 last time out to break the school record in the event, it did not take long for that record to fall. The group of Kason Jones, Galen Loyd, Vincente Grainani and former Parkway star William Achee clocked a 3:09.05 at the Tyson Invitational, nearly two seconds better than their previous mark.
That record highlighted an impressive day at the Tyson Invitational, while many other Demons competed at the Gorilla Classic at Pittsburg State.
“The guys and girls are having fun,” associate head coach Adam Pennington said. “As a group they just want to be great. I’ve continued to challenge them weekly on what they are capable of and they continue to answer. We have developed a championship mentality these last few years and they seem to hold themselves to a high standard. It makes it easy for me as a coach when I have athletes who want this the same way I do.
“The men’s relay was ready. I pulled the guys from the 200 to take a chance and go under 3:10, and we did. Will had a few mistakes in the last leg and got bumped and lost rhythm and still closed well. I believe we are capable of running 3:07 if we put it together. The men and woman are also huge supporters of each other and have been a huge reason both have ran so well. Great day overall.”
Also at Arkansas, Elijah Rowe clocked an indoor personal-best 21.54 in the men’s 200-meter dash, placing 28th out of 54.
In the women’s 200-meter dash, Maygan Shaw ran a 23.83 to place 18th, fresh off her school record Friday.
Margaret Conteh (25.31) finished 38th and Kahliyah Anderson (24.0) placed 41st.
Over at the Gorilla Classic at Pittsburg State in Kansas, Dynia Lewis continued a strong indoor season.
Lewis posted personal bests in both the 60-meter hurdles and 60-meter dash, finishing first and third in the finals, respectively.
In the 60-meter hurdles, she ran an 8.42 to finish first in the event and Raven-Symone Jarrett also posted a personal best with an 8.70 to place fifth.
Lewis ran another personal best with a time of 7.55 to finish third in the 60-meter dash, placing right behind Sileena Farrell, who won the event with a personal-best 7.50.
“Dynia had another great day,” head coach Mike Heimerman said. “I think this young lady has run a PR every round in both events. It’s truly amazing. Sileena had a great 60. She is starting to get her confidence and rhythm back. Raven had a great day not at a 100 percent and still running at her PR in the hurdles and having a solid day in the high jump.
“Everyone at Pitt State put in some work and learned a few things that we will take a make adjustments. Overall, it was a good weekend.”
Korbin Shumate smashed his previous best with a 4:17.85 to place 21st, nearly five seconds better than his previous best mark in the men’s mile.
In the field events, Madison Brown crushed her previous indoor best in the pole vault, clearing 12-10.75.
Four players finished in the top nine in the women’s shot put, led by Shakera Williams’ 45-11.25 to finish fourth. Shanice Hutson (45-4), Ryah Dates (45-4) and Carnitra Mackey (43-10) placed fifth, sixth and ninth, respectively.
Justin Craft (51-10.75) led the way in the men’s shot put, finishing eighth. Abner Johnson (50-5.50) placed right behind him in ninth and Tarajh Hudson (47-6.5) finished in 12th,
Raven-Symone Jarrett cleared 5-4.25 to finish ninth in the women’s high jump.
Jaslyn Smith finished eighth in the women’s triple jump, jumping a 37-10, while Victoria Byrd recorded a 35-9.25 to place 15th.
The track & field teams are back in action Friday at the LSU Twilight, their final scheduled meet prior to the SLC Indoor Championships, which begin March 2 in Birmingham, Alabama.