Results
LUBBOCK – In their final tune-up before NAIA Indoor Nationals, the Wayland Baptist men's and women's track and field teams enjoyed a solid showing Friday evening at the Matador Qualifier hosted by Texas Tech.
"I'm pretty fired up. There was a lot of excitement for us and the kids competed really hard," Wayland coach
Brian Whitlock said. "A lot of people were trying to make nationals; some made it and some didn't, but I saw a lot of effort, and that's good.
"For a final meet before nationals, it was a really good finale for us, both performance-wise and motivational-wise."
Among the highlights for the women, Raheema West ran the NAIA's fourth-fastest time, 24.96 seconds, in the 200 meters along with a PR in the 60, where she also has the fourth-fastest time.
"Raheema ran really well," Whitlock said.
Sprinter
Julissa Chavez, a freshman, turned in career-bests in both the 60 and 200. "She didn't qualify for nationals but finished her indoor season well," Whitlock said.
In the 600,
Coshan Campbell ran a personal-best and the NAIA's third-fastest time while
Elizabeth Williams also hit a "B" qualifying standard in an off-event for her.
"Coshan turned the corner this weekend," Whitlock said. "We've seen a lot of good things from her in practice but that hadn't translated to meets, so that was good to see happen. She then came back and ran by far the fastest leg on the 4x400" where she combined with
Teresha Jacobs, Williams and
Nia McGriff for the NAIA's fifth-fastest time. "That's pretty good with only one sprinter and three distance girls."
Jacobs hit an "A" standard in the 1,000 while
Jackline Cherono and
Prudence Kiyeng ran their best times to meet "B" standards.
And, sophomore
Michaela Phipps ran a lifetime best time in the mile to end her indoor season on a high note.
The Pioneer men realized several highlights, among them
Reggie Mouton running the NAIA's fastest time in the 600 to win that event and having the best leg on the 4x400 relay which also had the NAIA's top time of 2020 by more than a second, 3:10.
"Reggie ran a great time in the 600, and the 4x4 was really exciting," said Whitlock, who added that Mouton,
Demetrius Turner,
Devin Williams and
Donte Irving will be "hoping to continue our 4x4 prowess (at nationals), and I think we will."
Irving, meanwhile, clocked two career-best times in the 60 hurdles, first in the semifinals then again in the finals. His 8.10 time is seventh-best in the NAIA.
"That gives us a chance to score at nationals. Donte has come a long way."
Hitting "B" standards were
Kirk Baril in the 60 with a career-best,
Charles Lee with a PR in the 400, and
Dennis Kiptoo in the 1,000.
"Kirk missed some time, but I'm real proud of him for sticking with it and competing hard," Whitlock said.
Also posting a "B" standard and career-best was
Cesar Amador in the 800. "Cesar also has come a long way, which is exciting to see."
Finally, freshmen
Cole Rubac,
Garrett Birdsong and
Devin Davis all PR'ed in their respective events.
The Pioneers now have a couple of weeks to prepare for the NAIA National Championships set for March 5-7 in Brookings, S.D. Wayland will be among the contenders for men's and women's team titles.
