Three Wildcats Crack Top-10 Lists on Day One of Michael Johnson Invitational
Apr 19, 2019 | Track & Field
WACO, Texas – The Kansas State men's and women's track and field teams opened competition at the Michael Johnson Invitational at the Clyde Hart Track and Field Stadium in Waco, Texas on Friday, where three individuals posted K-State top-10 performances and two event victories.
Beginning the day in the field events, the hammer throw duo of Shaelyn Ward and Ashley Petr made a splash in the women's hammer throw competition, with both individuals setting new personal bests and K-State top-10 marks.
Ward, holding a personal best of 57.04m/187-02 going into the meet, recorded three throws that went farther than her previous personal best, including a mark of 60.00m/196-10 on her third attempt. The throw went on to win her the event, while moving her into eighth in K-State outdoor history.
Following Ward, Petr set new personal bests on her first and fourth throw, with her fourth throw of 58.51m/191-11 standing as her new career-best, while also placing her second overall in the competition, and moving her into ninth in K-State outdoor history.
Meanwhile, in the women's pole vault, sophomore Hannah Buller made her season debut in the event, where she missed on her first attempt at 3.26m/10-08.25, before quickly rebounding by clearing the next two heights on her first attempt. Buller finished with a personal best vault of 3.56m/11-08, which placed her fourth in the event and 10th in the K-State outdoor top-10 list in the event.
In the men's hammer throw, sophomore Colin Echols also registered a new personal best on Friday, throwing 52.20m/171-03 on his second attempt, which bested his previous career best of 48.52m/159-02. Echols led the Wildcats in the event by placing ninth, while freshman Keenan Hildebrandt placed 12th (50.37m/165-03) and junior Cameron Lewis placed 14th (48.18m/158-01).
The Wildcats concluded day one of the Michael Johnson Invitational on the track, where sophomore Ethan Powell and senior Joe Gorthy competed in the men's 5,000 meters. From the gun, Powell raced to the front of the pack, where he would stay for the entirety of the race, leading to his victory in 14:45.78. Gorthy followed by placing fifth overall in 15:29.26.
Day two of the Michael Johnson Invitational features an action-packed day of competition for the Wildcats, as K-State gets started with the men's discus competition at 9:30 a.m. CT, while the track events pick up at 1:00 p.m. Live results for day two will be available here, while paid subscribers can stream the action live on FloTrack, available here.
Michael Johnson Invitational (Day One)
Clyde Hart Track and Field Stadium
Waco, Texas
Men's Hammer Throw
10. Colin Echols, 52.20m/171-03 (P.R.)
12. Keenan Hildebrandt, 50.37m/165-03
14. Cameron Lewis, 48.18m/158-01
Women's Pole Vault Open
4. Hannah Buller, 3.56m/11-08 (P.R.) (Tenth in K-State Outdoor History)
Women's Hammer Throw
1. Shaelyn Ward, 60.00m/196-10 (P.R.) (Eighth in K-State Outdoor History)
2. Ashley Petr, 58.51m/191-11 (P.R.) (Ninth in K-State Outdoor History)
Men's Javelin
5. Logan Wolfley, 57.44m/188-05.50
Men's 5,000 Meters
1. Ethan Powell, 14:45.78
5. Joe Gorthy, 15:29.26
Beginning the day in the field events, the hammer throw duo of Shaelyn Ward and Ashley Petr made a splash in the women's hammer throw competition, with both individuals setting new personal bests and K-State top-10 marks.
Ward, holding a personal best of 57.04m/187-02 going into the meet, recorded three throws that went farther than her previous personal best, including a mark of 60.00m/196-10 on her third attempt. The throw went on to win her the event, while moving her into eighth in K-State outdoor history.
Following Ward, Petr set new personal bests on her first and fourth throw, with her fourth throw of 58.51m/191-11 standing as her new career-best, while also placing her second overall in the competition, and moving her into ninth in K-State outdoor history.
Shaelyn Ward & Ashley Petr with some ?? throws in the women's hammer throw!
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) April 19, 2019
?? Shaelyn Ward - New PR of 60.00m/196-10 to win the event. Ranks No. 8? in #KStateTF Outdoor history
?? Ashley Petr - New PR of 58.51m/191-11 to place second. Ranks No. 9? in #KStateTF Outdoor History
Meanwhile, in the women's pole vault, sophomore Hannah Buller made her season debut in the event, where she missed on her first attempt at 3.26m/10-08.25, before quickly rebounding by clearing the next two heights on her first attempt. Buller finished with a personal best vault of 3.56m/11-08, which placed her fourth in the event and 10th in the K-State outdoor top-10 list in the event.
In the men's hammer throw, sophomore Colin Echols also registered a new personal best on Friday, throwing 52.20m/171-03 on his second attempt, which bested his previous career best of 48.52m/159-02. Echols led the Wildcats in the event by placing ninth, while freshman Keenan Hildebrandt placed 12th (50.37m/165-03) and junior Cameron Lewis placed 14th (48.18m/158-01).
The Wildcats concluded day one of the Michael Johnson Invitational on the track, where sophomore Ethan Powell and senior Joe Gorthy competed in the men's 5,000 meters. From the gun, Powell raced to the front of the pack, where he would stay for the entirety of the race, leading to his victory in 14:45.78. Gorthy followed by placing fifth overall in 15:29.26.
In control from start to finish ?? #KStateTF
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) April 20, 2019
Sophomore Ethan Powell wins the men's 5k in 14:45.78, leading from the gun to finish, senior Joe Gorthy finishes fifth in 15:29.26#KStateTF Men's 5,000 Meters:
1. Ethan Powell, 14:45.78
5. Joe Gorthy, 15:29.26 pic.twitter.com/jWJwHh4boX
Day two of the Michael Johnson Invitational features an action-packed day of competition for the Wildcats, as K-State gets started with the men's discus competition at 9:30 a.m. CT, while the track events pick up at 1:00 p.m. Live results for day two will be available here, while paid subscribers can stream the action live on FloTrack, available here.
Michael Johnson Invitational (Day One)
Clyde Hart Track and Field Stadium
Waco, Texas
Men's Hammer Throw
10. Colin Echols, 52.20m/171-03 (P.R.)
12. Keenan Hildebrandt, 50.37m/165-03
14. Cameron Lewis, 48.18m/158-01
Women's Pole Vault Open
4. Hannah Buller, 3.56m/11-08 (P.R.) (Tenth in K-State Outdoor History)
Women's Hammer Throw
1. Shaelyn Ward, 60.00m/196-10 (P.R.) (Eighth in K-State Outdoor History)
2. Ashley Petr, 58.51m/191-11 (P.R.) (Ninth in K-State Outdoor History)
Men's Javelin
5. Logan Wolfley, 57.44m/188-05.50
Men's 5,000 Meters
1. Ethan Powell, 14:45.78
5. Joe Gorthy, 15:29.26
Players Mentioned
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