The sun set over the R.V. Christian Track on Friday, May 8, as a lively home crowd gathered on a clear evening to celebrate Kansas State senior night. The Ward Haylett Invitational proved to be a historic send-off, defined by a flurry of broken records and strong performances across the board.
Senior Vanessa Mercera headlined the record-breaking spree in the 400 meters, clocking a 51.83 to set a new meet record and shatter a 30-year-old school mark.
“I think, oh gosh, she has maybe four or five different school records between indoor and outdoor, so really appreciate her and her efforts and the legacy that she’s left at Kansas State,” head coach Travis Geopfert said.
The success continued in the sprints as junior Tavon Underwood won the men’s 400 meters in a meet record 45.62 seconds. This slight personal best moved Underwood to No. 6 in K-State’s record book. Geopfert described Underwood’s race as a “big breakthrough” where he “did a great job of executing his game plan.”
In the hurdles, junior Thomas Canivet secured another meet record, winning the 400-meter hurdles in 50.18 seconds — the third-fastest time in K-State history.
Senior Jourdin Edwards added to the victories by winning the women’s side of the 400-meter hurdles in 57.50 seconds.
“And then the women 400 hurdlers, a bunch of PBs in that group as well and season best and punching their ticket to the NCAA first rounds, just a tremendous job,” Geopfert said.
Middle-distance and distance runners added more records to the night, with freshman Anna Pozdeeva winning the women’s 800 meters in 2:06.52, a time that ranks No. 8 in the outdoor program records. Fellow freshman Vance Krudwig took the men’s 800 meters in a personal-best 1:50.61. Grace Meyer claimed the 1500 meters in 4:31.40, while Hanna Keltner dominated the 3000 meters with a personal-best 10:01.99.
Field events saw freshman Alan Hanna clear a personal best in the outdoor season at 2.16m (7’ 1”) in the high jump to place fourth.
“Our freshman, Alan Hanna, had a big outdoor breakthrough tonight,” Geopfert said. “I appreciate Alan’s patience and willingness to work through some challenges and just being tremendously coachable.”
Shanniqua Williams won the women’s high jump at 1.72m (5’ 7.75”), followed by Lindsey DeWitt in second with a personal-best 1.70m (5’ 7”). Senior Gary Moore Jr. took runner-up in the discus with a season-best mark of 54.79m (179’ 9”).
Reflecting on senior night, Geopfert shared his gratitude.
“I want to congratulate our seniors,” Geopfert said. ‘It was senior night, and I think we had a class of 22 student-athletes that we celebrated tonight. I really appreciate them welcoming our staff here last year … there was tremendous leadership amongst this group, and so it feels good to celebrate them tonight.”
The Wildcats now carry their momentum into the postseason as they travel to Tucson, Ariz., for the Big 12 Championship at Drachman Stadium from May 14-16.
