Wildcats Have Historic First Day at Larry Wieczorek Invitational

Wildcats Have Historic First Day at Larry Wieczorek Invitational

Jan 19, 2018 | Track & Field

By: Wildcats Have Historic First Day at Larry Wieczorek Invitational

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Kansas State Track and Field Team had a historic first day at the second-annual Larry Wieczorek Invitational in Iowa City, Iowa on Saturday, as Wildcats accounted for two meet records, 12 personal bests, and three event victories.

After the first day of competition, the K-State women stand third overall with 37.33 points, and the men are in sixth place with 19 points. LSU leads the men's team competition with 52 points, and Iowa leads the women's teams with 52.33 points.

"In general, the throwers had a great day. They had a number of personal bests there," Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto said. "Nina [Schultz] and Rhizlane [Siba] both both jumped well, and Lukas [Koch] looked good in the 1,000."

In the men's and women's weight throw events, all four K-State throwers were able to toss new personal bests on Saturday, including a new meet record of 21.31m/69-11 set by senior Mitch Dixon, who has now won each weight throw competition of the season by throwing a personal best in each meet. By setting a new P.R., Dixon also moved into second on the all-time K-State weight throw list, surpassing Brady Grunder who threw 21.27m/69-09.50 at the Steve Miller Open in 2017.

In the women's weight throw, sophomore Helene Ingvaldsen tossed her second consecutive P.R. in as many meets, as she threw 20.83m/68-04.25 to claim third place. Ingvaldsen's throw also moved her up in the K-State Top-10, as she takes over the No. 4 position in K-State women's hammer throw history, and moves her into ninth in the NCAA this season. Freshman duo Shaelyn Ward (17.81m/58-05.25) and Taylor Latimer (16.43m/53-11) also set new P.R.'s in the competition.

"They're [weight throwers] looking really good and the promising part is they keep progressing," assistant coach Greg Watson said of the weight throw performances. "They know that every throw they take matters, and that the important thing is they keep getting better."

Entering Saturday's competition among the best marks across the country, senior Rhizlane Siba and sophomore Nina Schultz put on a show in the women's high jump, in which both Wildcats tied the meet record of 1.80m/5-10.75.

Schultz cleared the height to tie the record on her first attempt and Siba followed by clearing it on her third attempt. Neither Schultz or Siba were able to break the meet record at the height of 1.83m/6-00, though their clearance of 1.80m/5-10.75 placed them first and second, respectively.

In the men's 1,000-meter run, the Wildcats took the pack as former K-State Track athlete Kain Ellis, who ran unattached, set a new meet, facility and track record by running a time of 2:24.24, while senior Lukas Koch closely followed by running 2:24.34. Koch's time set a new personal best and moved him into third all-time on the K-State Indoor Top-10 list.

The Wildcats will return to the UI Recreation Building on Saturday, as they complete the second day of the Larry Wieczorek invitational. Action begins with the women's shot put beginning at 1:00 p.m. For a full schedule of events, heat sheets, and more, click here.
For the latest on K-State track and field follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.

Larry Wieczorek Invitational
UI Recreation Building
Iowa City, Iowa

Men's Weight Throw
1. Mitch Dixon, 21.31m/69-11 (Meet Record) (P.R.)

Women's High Jump
1. Nina Schultz, 1.80m/5-01.75 (Meet Record)
2. Rhizlane Siba, 1.80m/5-01.75
8. Shanae McKenzie, 1.70m/5-07

Women's Weight Throw
3. Helene Ingvaldsen, 20.83m/68-04.25 (P.R.)
9. Shaelyn Ward, 17.81m/58-05.25 (P.R)
12. Taylor Latimer, 16.43m/53-11 (P.R.)

Women's Long Jump
3. Claudette Allen, 5.95m/19-06.25
6. Ariel Okorie, 5.90m/19-04.25 (P.R.)

Men's Long Jump
3. Jullane Walker, 7.03m/23-00.75
8. Tom Pyle, 6.69m/21-11.50

Men's 3000 Meters
1. Ethan Powell, 8:29.67 (P.R.)
8. Joe Gorthy, 8:47.12 (P.R.)

Women's 200 Meters
15. Akia Guerrier, 25.37

Women's 1000 Meters
4. Erin Lee, 2:57.42
5. Cara Melgares, 2:58.16 (P.R.)
6. Sydney Collins, 2:58.47 (P.R.)
7. Victoria Robinson, 3:03.16 (P.R.)

Men's 1000 Meters
2. Lukas Koch, 2:24.34 (P.R.)
4. Travis Hodge, 2:27.86 (P.R.)
6. Noah Stevenson, 2:29.83
8. Sam Oxandale, 2:39.61

Women's 200 Meters Premier
8. Ranae McKenzie, 24.28
9. A'Keyla Mitchell, 24.33

Men's 200 Meters Premier
4. Terrell Smith, 21.22
15. Nick Albus, 22.22