Seniors Gary Moore Jr. and Vanessa Mercera delivered record-setting performances to lead Kansas State track and field in its season opener in the Thane Baker Invitational at Cliff Rovelto Indoor Track.
Mercera made an impact in her return to competition, as she captured the women’s 400 meters in 53.04 seconds, establishing a new school record. This race marked her first in a Wildcat uniform since May 2024.
Moore Jr. highlighted the men’s weight throw, winning the event with a mark of 23.14 meters. Moore Jr.’s throw exceeded his previous school record set at last season’s Big 12 championship, placing him amongst the top collegiate competitors in the nation to start the year.
There were several standout performances across the events for K-State. Selva Prabhu won the men’s triple jump with a mark that is not only her personal best, but that also ranks within the top three in program history. Freshman Alan Hanna, making his collegiate debut, cleared 2.25 meters in the high jump to break the facility record.
Tah Chikomba claimed the men’s long jump title, Monique Hardy extended her record in women’s weight throw and Delaney Brinker, along with Tavon Underwood, each posted meet record wins in the middle distance events.
“Overall, I’m extremely pleased with the home opener,” K-State head coach Travis Geopfert said. “I can’t thank the teams that came enough for being here. A huge thank you to the University of Oregon. They came a long ways and just made the atmosphere better, some great competition across the board.”
Not only did Mercera return in impressive fashion, but so did junior Aaron Antoine, who placed among the top finishers in the triple jump after returning from a serious knee injury.
“A year and a half ago, he ruptured his patella tendon,” Geopfert said. “The high jump is going fine, but the confidence to put his foot down on that knee in a high jump wasn’t quite there. We started playing with the triple jump a month ago, and it’s unbelievable what he’s been able to do. That guy put up a top-three mark in the NCAA right now in his first meet back, and it’s something in my entire coaching career I’m never going to forget.”
The Wildcats will remain at home for their next competition, hosting the DeLoss Dodds Invitational on Jan. 30-31 at the Cliff Rovelto Indoor Track. The two-day meet is expected to feature elite collegiate programs and Olympians in field events. The meet will provide K-State another early-season chance to test its depth against legitimate competition.
With a record-setting opening weekend in the rear view mirror, the Wildcats look to carry that momentum into one of the most competitive home meets of the indoor season.
