Gorillas once again outshine competition 

It was another week, another successful venture for the Pitt State track and field team as they traveled to Fayetteville, Arkansas, for the annual John McDonnell Invitational. The Gorillas were quick to show out with an impressive outing, a common theme for both the men’s and women’s track and field teams. 

Junior Caden Williams highlighted the men’s performances in the meet by clocking the No. 1 ranked time in NCAA Division II this season in the 400 meters. His time of 45.89 seconds moved him to No. 3 on Pitt State’s all-time leader board in the discipline. Graduate student Woyn Chatman also posted the sixth-fastest time in D2 in the 400m (46.21), while sophomore Amar Williams also was clocked in a personal-best time of 46.93. 

Redshirt sophomore Drake Stapleton also logged a season-best mark of 59 feet, 6.75 inches in the shot put. He climbed to No. 7 on the D2 leader board for 2026. The 4x100m relay also recorded an NCAA qualifying time of 39.80 seconds, good for No. 5 in D2 this season. 

Other notable efforts included fellow redshirt sophomore Eli Gilmore posting a 1:49.83 time in the 800 meters; redshirt junior Dylan Sprecker recording a 3:41.16 time in the 1,500 meters; and junior Ilias Garcia clocking a time of 10.22 in the 100 meters. 

In the women’s action, sophomore Kayvon Nubine posted a season best time of 13.51 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles. She bumped up to No. 6 on the D2 national list. The 4x100m relay secured an NCAA qualifying time of 45.38 seconds, climbing to No. 12 in the nation. Sophomore Mikah Edwards also clocked a personal best time of 24.27 in the 200 meters. 

This event was a last-minute tune up for the Gorillas, as they now transition towards the coming MIAA championship. Pittsburg State will be hosting the MIAA Championship this year, held at their newly built outdoor track just by the Crossland Technology Center.  

The MIAA Championship will be held May 1 thru May 3.  

Despite the MIAA Championship being held next, it will not in fact be the last meet before regionals are held. The Gorillas will travel back to Fayetteville on May 8th for the Arkansas Twilight, before Pitt State hosts the PSU “Almost Last Chance” Invitational on May 9, which is followed immediately by the PSU “Last Chance” Invitational on May 10.  

Once all of these events are finished, then the Gorillas will look to prepare for the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships. The Gorillas are favorites to not just make the National Championship, but to repeat as winners.