Kansas State Track and Field traveled to Lubbock, Texas for the Big 12 championship Feb. 27-28, where the Wildcats men’s team came in second place, and the women’s team finished in fourth.
The men’s team finished with 124 total points, which was just one point shy of the Big 12 conference winner, Texas Tech. Between the Red Raiders and the Wildcats, it was a two-way race for the top spot, with the third-place finisher, Iowa State, 60 points behind K-State.
On day one of the meet, the ‘Cats took home five titles, sweeping men’s and women’s weight throw and long jump, and the men took home the high jump title.
Seniors Monique Hardy and Kade McCall were the winners of the weight throw, while juniors Uroy Ryan and Maud Zeffou-Poaty jumped to the long jump titles. Senior transfer Devin Loudermilk was the men’s high jump champ at 2.25 meters, which was his season best.
“The long jump was incredible,” K-State head coach Travis Geopfert said. “In the men’s long jump, we scored 27 points. I just really appreciate all those athletes having the bigger picture in mind. Sometimes with elite jumpers, you’re almost on a pitch count, and all those guys, but one, only took three jumps.”
On day two, the Wildcats continued to shine and break records. Both the men’s and women’s 4×400 relay team ran their fastest races of the season, with the women’s team breaking their own school record and finishing in third, and the men finishing in first and tallying 10 points for the team.
In the men’s triple jump, K-State didn’t claim the top spot but had finishers in second, third and fourth. Sophomore Selva Prabhu won silver with a jump of 16.59 meters, and senior Aaron Antonie claimed bronze with a jump of 16.32 meters. Coming in fourth and just short of a medal was senior Jhavor Bennett, who jumped 16.05 meters, his season best.
In the women’s triple jump, the Wildcats took home another medal with Daniela Wamokpego, finishing in third to claim bronze as she jumped 13.59 meters, which tied her personal best.
In the sprinting events, Tah Chikomba finished in third place in the men’s 60-meter dash with a time of 6.59 seconds, a personal best and the second-best time in school history. Senior Vanessa Mercera was running the 600-yard race for the first time and finished in third place, setting the school record.
Both teams will now go on to compete at the NCAA Championship at the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas on March 13-14. Earlier this season, the Wildcats participated in a meet at the Randal Tyson Track Center, so they should have some familiarity going back there.
The ‘Cats athletes are strong competitors and they have a chance to excel if they perform up to their capabilities.
