Dixon Breaks Hammer Throw School Record on Day One of Texas Invitational

Dixon Breaks Hammer Throw School Record on Day One of Texas Invitational

Apr 13, 2018 | Track & Field

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By: Dixon Breaks Hammer Throw School Record on Day One of Texas Invitational

AUSTIN, Texas – Senior Mitch Dixon wasted no time re-writing the record books on Friday, breaking the school-record in the men's hammer throw with a throw of 67.14m/220-03 on day one of the Texas Invitational at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas.

After day one of the Texas Invitational, both the K-State men and women are placed in second in the team standings, with both teams trailing Texas. Through eight of 20 events scored, the K-State women possess 57 points and the men's team has 45 points.

Dixon's record-breaking throw came on his first attempt on Friday, after the Texas Invitational was delayed several hours due to lightning in the area. After completing his warm-up throws, Dixon stepped into the hammer throw ring and unloaded a new school record of 67.14m/220-03.

"I was just trying to get a good rhythm and stay patient on my first through. I think just by relaxing I was able to get a good one out there," Dixon said of his record-breaking throw. "It means a lot, but it also means that I have to start working a lot harder. I think I have a lot more in me, and Coach [Watson] thinks I have a lot more left, so my goal is to just keep getting better each meet."

Dixon's new school record eclipses his own hammer throw record of 65.95m/216-04 that was set at the NCAA West Preliminary in 2017. Dixon later went on to throw at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, where he placed 20^th in the hammer throw to earn honorable mention all-American honors.

"The last couple of weeks Mitch [Dixon] has really started to figure out his technique and that showed today with his result," assistant coach Greg Watson said. "As he gets more consistent with it we both expect bigger throws."

Along with Dixon's record-breaking performance, several Wildcats stood out at the Texas Invitational on Friday, including sophomore Wurrie Njadoe who led the women's long jump with a winning 6.16m/20-02.50. Njadoe's jump helped pace fellow sophomore Konstantina Romaiou who jumped a personal best 5.98m/ 19-07.50 to place third in the event.

Also in the field events, the women's hammer throw continued to wrack up points for the Wildcats, as senior Janee' Kassanavoid led the charge after setting a school record a week ago at the Jim Click Shootout. Kassanavoid threw an event-winning 65.09m/213-06, while sophomore Helene Ingvaldsen placed second with a throw of 63.76m/209-02, while freshman Shaelyn Ward tossed a personal best 55.95m/183-06. Through three meets this season, Kassanavoid and Ingvaldsen have placed first and second in each meet, respectively.

On the track, the first men's 3000-meter steeplechase race of the season ended with a victory, as senior Colton Donahue ran a 9:35.37 to win the event, followed by freshman Ethan Powell's second-place finish of 9:50.57.

In the sprints, seniors Terrell Smith and A'Keyla Mitchell ran notable times in the 200 meters. Smith, a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, ran a wind-aided 20.60 (5.4) to finish as the top collegian in the men's 200 meters, while Mitchell ran an impressive 23.24 to place as the third collegian in the women's 200 meters.

With the conclusion of day one of the Texas Invitational, the Wildcats will return to Mike A. Myers Stadium on Saturday, beginning at 10:00 a.m. with the women's 5,000 meters. For a full meet preview, schedule and more, click here. Live results will be available throughout the day on Saturday by following @KStatetfxc on Twitter or by clicking 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.

Texas Invitational
Mike A. Myers Stadium
Austin, Texas

Women's Hammer Throw
1. Janee' Kassanvoid, 65.09m/213-06
2. Helene Ingvaldsen 63.76m/209-02
4. Shaelyn Ward, 55.95m/183-06 (P.R.)
9. Taylor Latimer, 53.06m/174-01 (P.R.)
10. Ashley Petr, 52.66m/172-09

Men's Hammer Throw
3. Mitch Dixon, 67.14m/220-03, (P.R.) (School Record)

Women's Long Jump
1. Wurrie Njadoe, 6.16m/20-02.50
3. Konstantina Romaiou, 5.98m/ 19-07.50 (P.R.)
8. Shardia Lawrence, 5.71m/18-08.75 (P.R.)
9. Claudette Allen, 5.70m/18-08.50

Men's Long Jump
10. Jullane Walker, 7.18m/23-06.75
11. Tom Pyle, 7.12m/23-04.50

Women's 200 Meters
4. A'Keyla Mitchell, 23.24 (2.0)
10. Ranae McKenzie, 23.67 (2.0)
26. Lauren Taubert, 24.59 (1.7)
35. Ariel Okorie, 24.88 (2.0) (P.R.)

Men's 200 Meters
2. Terrell Smith, 20.60 (5.4)
32. Nick Albus, 21.66 (2.8)
44. Tom Pyle, 22.11 (4.1)

Women's Shot Put
1. Taylor Latimer, 14.90m/48-10.75

Men's Shot Put
4. Brett Neelly, 18.98m/62-03.25
7. Kyle Mitchell, 16.75m/54-11.50

Men's 3000 Meter Steeplechase
1. Colton Donahue, 9:35.37
2. Ethan Powell, 9:50.57 (P.R.)

Men's 15000 Meter Run
5. Kurt Loevenstein, 3:55.41
9. Brett Bachman, 4:00.81 (P.R.)
16. Sam Oxandale, 4:09.70
18. Noah Stevenson, 4:12.31 (P.R.)