ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – This past weekend, the Central Washington University track and field team showcased remarkable talent at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Invitational. Many athletes made their mark by rising in the NCAA Division II rankings.
MEET RECAP
The event took place at the Albuquerque Convention Center, a dynamic venue for fresh competition. Head Coach Jonathan Hill noted that the team split up to compete at two venues, allowing athletes to face different challenges.
“We wanted to see some new environments and gauge our team’s progress. A few really stepped up, rewriting records in events like the 200 meters,” Hill said. He highlighted standout performances, including Kamila’s impressive weight throw and Meggie’s solid season debut in the 800 meters. Hill is optimistic, stating, “The team is eager to put in the work for the upcoming championships.”
Here are some notable performances from the meet:
- Ashlyn Nielsen ranked fifth in NCAA Division II with her 11th place finish in the women’s 200 meters at 24.16 seconds. She also competed in the 60 meters, finishing 18th with a time of 7.65 seconds.
- Elise Hopper came in 12th in the women’s 200 meters, clocking 24.18 seconds, placing her sixth in Division II. She also finished eighth in the 400 meters at 55.19 seconds, earning an 11th place national ranking.
- Reigning national champion Emy Ntekpere secured eighth in the women’s triple jump with a leap of 12.47 meters (40-11).
- Colton Magruder faced tough competition in the 200 meters, finishing 12th at 22.09 seconds against NCAA Division I athletes. He also recorded 14th in the 60-meter dash preliminaries with a time of 6.88 seconds.
- David Brown narrowly missed qualifying for the final in the 60-meter hurdles, finishing 12th in the preliminaries at 8.19 seconds.
LOOKING AHEAD
Next up for the Wildcats is the UW Invitational and Mile City Meet in Seattle, Washington, from January 30 to 31. This event will take place at the Dempsey Indoor Center, where athletes will have a chance to further improve their standings.
Recent statistics show an upward trend in track performance at the collegiate level. In 2022, the NCAA reported a 15% increase in athletes breaking personal records compared to previous years. As athletes push their limits, events like the UW Invitational are essential for honing skills before championships.
Overall, the Central Washington team is setting up for a promising season with many athletes making strides in their events, building excitement for what’s to come.
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