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The men’s track and field team travelled to Warrensburg, Mo. to compete in the UCM Mule Relays on Friday, Apr. 16.
Levi Wyrick, graduate student in educational leadership, thought the team performed well in spite of the weather.
“I think we did good,” Wyrick said. “It was pretty cold and wet and rainy and we went out and had some good performances. I think some people got better in the rain and so that’s a good thing when you can, in adverse conditions, perform better.”
Wyrick won the hammer throw with a season-best throw.
“…It’s been kind of a rough season thus far,” Wyrick said. “…Again, it was in the rain so it kind of gave me something to focus on other than the throws… (I) had a good throw and it felt really good.”
Additionally, Mason Strader raced to victory in both the 1,500 meters and the 800 meters. Matthew Wilson followed right behind Strader in the 800 meters and finished second. Konner Swenson placed third in both the discus and the shot put. Christian Carter placed third in the long jump. Ben Kahnk added another third-place finish in the 10,000 meters. Cole Sample earned fourth in the shot put. Swenson added a fourth-place finish in the hammer throw.
“We took a little bigger men’s squad,” said Head Coach Russ Jewett. “We took more distance runners. (We) did have some throwers do real well. I’d say Levi Wyrick (was) at the top of that list. (He) had a nice throw in the hammer throw, won it, 210 feet. That’s a provisional qualifier to nationals. Three guys do well in the distances, actually more than that. We had some guys run the 10k that did really well. Ben Kahnk got on the all-time list in the 10,000 meters. That was good. Bryce Grahn had a PR and a provisional qualifier in the 5,000 and he got on an all-time list, number four. That’s the fourth faster time ever by a Gorilla and Matthew Oglesby wasn’t far behind him… That too was a provisional qualifier and number five on the all-time list. I think Mason Strader had a couple wins. Again, the weather wasn’t very good so he didn’t run super fast but he won two events, the 1500 and the 800. So, always good to win (and) practice your racing skills.”
The Gorillas will stay home for the weekend and host the Pittsburg State Tune-Up in Carnie Smith Stadium on Saturday, Apr. 24 at 11 a.m.
“Well, we’re still chasing qualifying marks to nationals,” Jewett said. “…Like our women’s team, it’s our last chance to be together in a competition before the conference championship. So, we’re just hoping to build even more unity and again momentum…”
This year, the MIAA Outdoor Championships will be held at Pittsburg State University in Carnie Smith Stadium from Saturday, May 8 through Sunday, May 9. Following that is the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships which will be held from Thursday, May 27 through Saturday, May 29 in Allendale, Mich.
