Don Kirby Invite Results / WT Results
Gorilla Classic Results / WT Results*All times stand with possibility of altitude and/or track size conversion when considered for national qualification (Albuquerque, N.M. 4,958 ft.) Albuquerque, N.M. – The West Texas A&M men's and women's track and field programs had another successful day at the Don Kirby Invitational. The Buffs and Lady Buffs picked up three new provisional marks, five top ten finishes and five top ten all-time performances while breaking two school records.
Daniel Gyasi broke the school record in the 400 meters while the 4 x 400 meter relay broke the existing school record set in 2014.
Gyasi competed for the first time as individual for the Buffs after competing last week in the relays. His career couldn't have started any better as he broke the school record in the 400 meters running 47.78. That time not only beats
Josh Helom's 48.13 from 2015 but also ranks him ninth in the nation.
He came back later in the meet to anchor the 4 x 400 meter relay to a school record and provisional mark. The quartet of Gyasi,
Theo Piniau,
Steven Cooper and
Alex Schaffer finished second overall in a time of 3:13.70 defeating five Division I schools in the process. That is the sixth-fastest time in the nation this season.
Jamie Taylor-Caldwell also picked up a provisional mark in the mile run finishing in a time of 4:09.09. He became just the third Buff runner to dip up the 4:10 mark joining
Baptiste Moreu and Joseph Kemei. That time ranks him No. 20 in the nation and fifth in school history.
Alexander Korn picked up a top ten finish in the 800 meters running 1:54.56 while
Jacob Suchors was 12
th in 1:56.00.
Duke Kicinksi was the lone participate for the Buffs in the field events as she placed 16
th in the shot put with his mark of 51-03 (15.62m).
On the women's side, the 4 x 400 meter relay consisting of
Sommer Wilder,
Jasmine Pitts,
Alba Casanovas and
Jessie Thomas ran the third-fastest time in school history with their 3:50.38. That time moves them up to No. 22 in the nation in that event.
Holly Cunigan continued her impressive season with a ninth-place finish in the shot put. Her mark 46-10.75 (14.29m) moves her up to No. 12 in the nation and fifth in school history.
Norma Cunigan finished 16
th with a mark of 44-05.25 (13.54m).
Wilder and Thomas both competed in the open 400 meters finishing 70
th and 72
nd respectively. Wilder's time of 59.30 was just ahead of Thomas's 59.49.
Nikolina Hrelec was the top finisher for the Lady Buffs in the 800 meters finishing 15
th in 2:18.66 while
Sierra Spinler was 21
st in 2:21.11.
Gorilla ClassicTyson Wieland was the lone Buff participating in Kansas on Saturday as he pushed the pace throughout the 3,000 meters on his way to a new personal best time. He crossed the finish line in 8:32.57 which is the sixth-fastest time in school history.
NEXT UP: WT will return to Alamosa, Colo. for the Lone Star Conference Indoor Championships on Feb. 20-21. The ASU Altitude Training Center will play host to the championships after "The Bubble" on the campus of Texas Tech was damaged during the winter storm Goliath. Live results and updates can be found by following @wtamutrackxc on twitter or clicking on gobuffsgo.com.
Day OneThe West Texas A&M men's and women's track and field programs performed well on the first day of the Don Kirby Invitational and Gorilla Classic. The Buffs and Lady Buffs battled against some of the toughest competition in the nation and came away with six top 10 marks and two provisional mark.
"Our objective this week was to go out and get some big marks," head coach
Darren Flowers said. "This first day got us started in the right direction. I am confident that the results will continue to improve the moment we step on the track again tomorrow."
Shanice Cameron and
Jasmine Pitts once again showed why they are two of the best sprinters in the Lone Star Conference. She ran the third-fastest time in school history in the 200 meters and fourth-fastest all-time in the 60 meter dash. Her time of 7.72 in the 60 meter dash was good enough for 31
st while her time of 24.64 in the 200 meters placed her 29
th. Pitts wasn't far behind in the 60 meter dash running 7.76, which is the sixth-fastest time in school history.
Victoria Rausch ran well in the hurdles taking 21
st overall with a time 8.73. That time is the 10
th fastest time in school history.
Courtney Head finished 21
st in the weight throw with a mark of 48-10 (14.88m). That is the 10
th best mark of all-time.
On the men's side,
Paolo Lazaric had the best performance placing 11
th in the high jump with a clearance of 6-08 (2.03m). That is mark is not only good enough for a provisional mark but is the second best mark in school history.
Todd Handley competed well in the 60 meter dash finishing 35
th in a time of 6.98.
Steven Cooper ran a new personal best in the 200 meters, 21.90, on his way to a 21
st place finish.
Theo Piniau also ran a personal best in the 200 finishing 37
th in a time of 22.34.
Alex Schaffer was 53
rd with a time of 23.01.
Gorilla ClassicBlake Whalen ran the second-fastest time in school history in the 5,000 meters at the Robert C. Plaster Center on Friday night to pick up a provisional mark. Whalen finished third overall in a personal best time of 14:41.33. He now owns two of the three fastest times in school history in that event.
"Blake works his tail off and he deserves to get these personal bests," Flowers added. "Even if that time doesn't get him to the national meet, I think it sets him up well for the outdoor season. I couldn't be happier with how he ran today."
