The track and field teams travelled to Maryville, Missouri from Friday, Jan. 24 to Saturday, Jan. 25 to compete in the Northwest Missouri Open competition.
According to head coach Russ Jewett, the teams could have competed better.
“Well, it was a bit lackluster in some ways,” Jewett said. “…we were a little sluggish, frankly, as a team. Now, there were some pretty good performances individually. But we’re (going to )have to get a lot better as a team in the coming weeks to be respectable.”
On the women’s team, redshirt senior Brianna Cook won the weight throw and the shot put. Junior Haven Lander won the pole vault. Senior Cassidy Westhoff finished second in the mile run, senior Piper Misse finished third, and sophomore Hannah Honeyman finished fourth. Sophomore Christine Williams placed fifth in the 200 meters, freshman Camryn Williams placed third in the shot put, and junior Asia Anderson placed fourth in the long jump.
“There were a few, mostly field events…, (that stood out to me),” Jewett said. “Our throwers did a really good job… our pole vaulters did a good job. Those are groups that… typically they do well this time of year and do even better later. So, no surprises there but they did a good job. I would say, bringing up our women’s pole vault, Haven won the thing 12-10. It’s up there (and) it’s not far off of her indoor PR. Kinsey Laird had a PR, personal best. She placed third or fourth… 11-6. Bri Cooks did a good job in both the shot and the weight throw, winning those two. (It was) not (her) lifetime best, but not far off and the shot put particularly was really good for her I think and winning is impressive. There were a couple good throwers there.”
On the men’s team, redshirt senior Levi Wyrick won the weight throw and junior Colin Webber won the 800 meters. Redshirt freshman Konner Swenson placed second in the shot put and third in the weight throw. Freshman Cameron Johnson placed second in the pole vault and freshman Cameron Wright placed fourth. Sophomore Jordan Woods placed fourth in the triple jump, redshirt freshman Chase Dalton placed fourth in the weight throw, and sophomore Jared Becker finished fifth in the 60-meter hurdles.
“On the men’s side, I guess on the track I would pat Colin Webber on the back,” Jewett said. “(He) ran a good opening 800 and won the event against some pretty good half milers there. There are two pole vaulters that are new this year, a freshman and a sophomore, that did really well. Both of them are named Cameron (Cameron Johnson and Cameron Wright). So, both those guys went second and third (and) did a good job in the vault, I think, competing there and then Konner Swenson, he won the shot. That was a good competitive effort. Those are the ones I would highlight I think.”
The track and field teams next competition is at the Wendy’s/Pittsburg State Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 2 in the Plaster Center.
“Well, our running event folks need to step it up,” Jewett said. “A few of them folks are basically getting it done right now but the sprints and the distances, we need to have a little better competitive effort. But we need a competitive effort to step up and being at home, I would think that would be some motivation to really sharpen our competitive skills and that’s what we’re expecting to see.”