Behind a historic record-breaking performance from junior Tah Chikomba and a dominant showing across the jumping events, the Kansas State track and field teams left their mark on Hayward Field this weekend. The Wildcat men secured the team title at the Oregon Team Invitational with 217 points, while the women’s squad finished as runners-up to the hosting Ducks with 288.5 points.
The weekend’s highlight came on April 17, when Chikomba shattered a 38-year-old school record in the men’s long jump. Being only his second jump of the outdoor season, Chikomba leaped 8.25 meters (27’ 0.75”) to surpass the previous mark of 8.21 meters set by Kenny Harrison in 1988. Facing a 2.2 headwind, Chikomba’s victory currently ranks him No. 1 in the NCAA and No. 9 in the world.
The Wildcats showcased their depth in the pits by sweeping the top three spots in the event, with sophomore Uroy Ryan 7.84 meters (25’ 8.75”) taking second and freshman Croix DaCunha 7.62 meters (25’ 0”) finishing third.
“I’m extremely proud of Tah [Chikomba] and the way he executed his plan tonight,” K-State head coach Travis Geopfert said. “It’s so fun to watch the work he’s putting in and growth he’s having as an athlete. He’s a special talent that is very coachable.”
The dominance in the jumps continued into Saturday, where the men’s triple jump saw another K-State sweep. Sophomore Selva Prabhu took the title with a mark of 16.61 meters (54’ 6”), the second-best jump in the NCAA this year and No. 3 in K-State history. Senior Apalos Edwards followed in second with 16.53 meters (54’ 2.75”), now the No. 4 jump in school history, while senior Jhavor Bennett claimed third at 16.11 meters (52’ 10.25”).
The women’s jumpers were equally impressive, as freshman Chisom Nwafor won the long jump on April 17, striding 6.28 meters (20’ 7.25”). Junior Daniela Wamokpego placed second in the triple jump on April 18, with a leap of 13.27 meters (43’ 6.5”) — the eighth-best mark in the K-State record books.
On the track, the Wildcats’ relay teams and hurdlers posted several all-time top-10 performances. The men’s 4×100-meter relay team of Jack Guthridge, Croix DaCunha, Nen Matlock and Tah Chikomba clocked 39.68 seconds, the third-fastest time in program history. Senior Vanessa Mercera swept the 400-meter hurdles in 56.62 seconds, ranking No. 4 all-time at K-State, while senior Jourdin Edwards won the 100-meter hurdles in a personal-best 13.64 seconds. Freshman Desirae Riehle also made her mark, winning the 400 meters in 53.15 seconds to claim the No. 9 spot in K-State’s history.
Geopfert credited much of the track success to the development of the team’s speed and the collective effort across both days.
“It was a great track meet,” Geopfert said. “We appreciate the University of Oregon hosting … our women finished second overall to Oregon, and on the men’s side, we came out and won this track, and that’s a big deal. Individual highlights, there’s just almost too many to name … we’ve got a lot of compliments from fans, from coaches of other programs talking about how our sprinters are really on the rise, and they are.”
In the field, junior Ricardo Hayles took third in discus, throwing 55.17 meters (181’ 0”), while senior Gary Moore Jr. improved his season-best in the hammer throw to 65.29 meters (214’ 2”) to finish as runner-up. Freshman Dorian Charles added a personal best in the javelin, launching it 68.15 meters (223’ 7”) to place him fourth.
The Wildcats will carry their momentum into the weekend as they travel to Des Moines, Iowa, for the Drake Relays at Drake Stadium, scheduled for April 23-25.
