Kansas State University Athletics
Friday, January 24
Manhattan, Kansas
Kansas State University
vs
DeLoss Dodds Invitational
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Parr’s Heptathlon Victory Highlights Final Day of DeLoss Dodds Invitational
Jan 25, 2020 | Track & Field
MAHATTAN, Kan. – Closing the second home meet of the 2020 indoor season, the Kansas State men's and women's track and field teams clinched a multitude of victories and personal bests in the final day of the DeLoss Dodds Invitational. Senior Kyle Parr secured the overall win in the men's heptathlon, scoring 4,962 points to kick of the final day of the invitational.
Parr, who came into the latter part of the heptathlon trailing teammate Matas Adamonis, used three straight victories on the second day of the meet to overtake the top of the leaderboard with wins in the men's 60-meter hurdles, pole vault and 1000-meter competitions. Parr ran a time of 2:48.03 in the 1000-meter competition while compiling personal records in the pole vault and 60-meter hurdle events.
"Each year we readjust expectations," said Parr. "I was expecting a few PR's, but I got a few more than I thought, which was good. My 60 was a surprise, I am not usually the best the 60 but I got an overall PR, which isn't until conference time I run well, so that was a surprise. Getting the bar in the pole vault, that is one of my weaker events. So, getting up and getting more points, that was awesome."
Director of Track and Field Cliff Rovelto had his take on Parr's performance this weekend.
"Kyle ran exceptionally well," said Rovelto. "For a young guy and his first race on a 200-meter track, that was pretty special. There have been guys who have made their country's world championship's Olympic teams. When they ran that fast, they were running where we didn't break. To run that kind of time where you break, and you run the second lap in lane one the whole way is pretty good."
K-State took care of business after the conclusion of the heptathlon, as both the men's and women's teams won their respective meets on each side. The men's team scored 251 points to place first overall out of four schools, while the women's squad delivered 277 points to claim the top spot in the leaderboard over six programs.
Starting off the high jump events strong, seniors Taylor Smith and Shanae McKenzie both took a spot at second place with Smith making a height of 2.10m/7-04.50, while McKenzie reached a total height of 1.76m/5-09.25.
Competing unattached in the shot put competition, junior thrower Taylor Latimer earned a spot at first place with a mark of 14.68m/48-02.00, while senior Ashley Petr closed in right behind her teammate with a throw of 13.47m/44-02.50.
Senior thrower Cameron Lewis cracked the top-10 in K-State history with his throw of 17.97m/58-11.50, placing him in 10th all-time for the shot-put competition.
Another Wildcat earning his spot in the record book on Saturday afternoon was freshman Oscar Smith, who scorched through the 60-meter hurdles event at a time of 7.98, which shoots him up to seventh place all-time in the indoor season for any Wildcat.
The 60-meter hurdles were good to K-State women's team as senior Lauren Taubert earned the victory in the sprint, crossing the line in 8.45. Her time moves her up in the K-State all-time standings to No. 8.
In the women's 60-meter race, senior Wurrie Njadoe ran by the field and into the top spot on the leaderboard with a time of 7.60.
Sophomore Alex Ferguson continued the Wildcats' winning ways later on in the women's 600-yard dash, posting a time of 1:23.13 to cross the line at the top of the standings. Ferguson finished three seconds ahead of the next runner in the victory.
Heading to the end of the meet, senior sprinter Akia Guerrier finished in fourth place for the women's 200-meter race, crossing the line at 25.45. Guerrier followed up former Wildcat A'keyla Mitchell, who took charge in the event with a blazing time of 23.68 to hold off the field in the race.
On the men's side, newcomer Tim Lambert nearly had the victory in the men's 200-meter event but came up less than a second short to finish in second place at a time of 22.66.
K-State owned the 1000-meter race once again as both sophomore Kassidy Johnson and senior Travis Hodge keep piling on the wins in the event. Johnson paced all opponents on the track with a time of 2:47.41 in the women's race. Hodge kept the pedal to the medal and finished two minutes ahead of the next runner en route to the win.
More freshmen made an impact on the day in the long-distance events for K-State as freshman Jack Thomas won his first 3000-meter race, recording a time of 8:40.13, which was 19 seconds faster than the next runner.
Closing out the DeLoss Dodds Invitational, the 4x400 meter relay commenced, resulting in victories by both the men's and women's teams. The K-State A group on the men's side brought home the win with the last athlete crossing the line at 3:15.26. For the women, the group of Taishia Pryce, Taubert, Kimisha Chambers and Macy Heinz notched the win, blazing past the other relay teams at a pace of 3:42.64. The victory also pushes this particular group into the top-10 for school history as the four relay teammates now sit at the ninth spot.
"I think there was a lot of really good doubles and even some triples," said Rovelto. "A lot of the distance kids ran both days. Some of them ran in the relays as well today. We got a lot of quality work in, which is what we need to have at this time. The meet was good to us in that we really got a lot of good work and quality efforts. All the coaching staff has to be pleased with that. There were some good quality marks, a lot of bright spots. I think it will serve us well going into the next couple of weeks."
The Wildcats conclude their stay at home and will begin preparation for the Razorback Invitational, which begins on Friday, January 31 and runs through Saturday, February 1 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
For the latest on K-State track and field, follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
DeLoss Dodds Invitational
Ahearn Field House
Manhattan, Kan.
Men's Heptathlon 60 Meter Hurdles
2. Kyle Parr, 8.68
3. Matas Adamonis, DNF
Men's Heptathlon Pole Vault
1. Kyle Parr, 3.80m/12-05.50
Men's Heptathlon 1000 Meters
1. Kyle Parr, 2:48.03
Women's Mile Run
2. Hannah Stewart, 5:01.72
3. Cara Melgares, 5:02.95
4. Jaybe Shufelberger, 5:04.53
5. Emma Lucas, 5:05.36
14. Cailan Steward, 5:34.42
Men's Mile Run
1. Ethan Powell, 4:14.47
2. Noah Stevenson, 4:15.20
3. Hadley Splechter, 4:16.36
4. Cooper Schroeder, 4:19.05
6. Mike Rohlinger, 4:23.46
7. David Lutgen, 4:25.66
8. Kerby Depenbusch, 4:26.12
9. Pierce Flanders, 4:48.11
Women's 60 Meter Hurdles
1. Lauren Taubert, 8.45
2. Kimisha Chambers, 8.51
3. Ariel Okorie, 8.69
Men's 60 Meter Hurdles
1. Oscar Smith, 7.98
2. Donovan Turner, 8.32
3. Edgaras Benkunskas, 8.38
Men's Long Jump
2. Taylor Smith, 2.10m/6-10.75
Men's 60 Meters
3. Nate Hassed, 7.09
4. Parker McCafferty, 7.18
Women's 600 Yard
1. Alex Ferguson, 1:23.13
Women's 60 Meter
1. Wurrie Njadoe, 7.60
Women's Shot Put
1. Taylor Latimer (UNA), 14.68m
2. Ashley Petr, 13.47m
5. Shaelyn Ward, 12.91m
Men's 200 Meter
2. Tim Lambert, 22.66
Women's 1000 Meter
1. Kassidy Johnson, 2:47.41
2. Emma Wren, 2:55.56
4. Cayli Hume, 2:59.53
Men's 1000 Meter
1. Travis Hodge, 2:27.20
3. Dylan Brenneman, 2:32.03
4. Kyle Johnston, 2:39.46
Women's High Jump
2. Shanae McKenzie, 1.76m/5-09.25
Men's 3000 Meter
1. Jack Thomas, 8:40.13
2. Jack Moore, 8:59.09
Women's 4x400 Meter Relay
1. Kansas Stata A, 3:42.64
2. Kansas State C, 3:56.73
Men's 4x400 Meter Relay
1. Kansas State A, 3:15.26
2. Kansas State B, 3:27.09
3. Kansas State C, 3:36.00
Parr, who came into the latter part of the heptathlon trailing teammate Matas Adamonis, used three straight victories on the second day of the meet to overtake the top of the leaderboard with wins in the men's 60-meter hurdles, pole vault and 1000-meter competitions. Parr ran a time of 2:48.03 in the 1000-meter competition while compiling personal records in the pole vault and 60-meter hurdle events.
"Each year we readjust expectations," said Parr. "I was expecting a few PR's, but I got a few more than I thought, which was good. My 60 was a surprise, I am not usually the best the 60 but I got an overall PR, which isn't until conference time I run well, so that was a surprise. Getting the bar in the pole vault, that is one of my weaker events. So, getting up and getting more points, that was awesome."
Director of Track and Field Cliff Rovelto had his take on Parr's performance this weekend.
"Kyle ran exceptionally well," said Rovelto. "For a young guy and his first race on a 200-meter track, that was pretty special. There have been guys who have made their country's world championship's Olympic teams. When they ran that fast, they were running where we didn't break. To run that kind of time where you break, and you run the second lap in lane one the whole way is pretty good."
K-State took care of business after the conclusion of the heptathlon, as both the men's and women's teams won their respective meets on each side. The men's team scored 251 points to place first overall out of four schools, while the women's squad delivered 277 points to claim the top spot in the leaderboard over six programs.
Starting off the high jump events strong, seniors Taylor Smith and Shanae McKenzie both took a spot at second place with Smith making a height of 2.10m/7-04.50, while McKenzie reached a total height of 1.76m/5-09.25.
Competing unattached in the shot put competition, junior thrower Taylor Latimer earned a spot at first place with a mark of 14.68m/48-02.00, while senior Ashley Petr closed in right behind her teammate with a throw of 13.47m/44-02.50.
Senior thrower Cameron Lewis cracked the top-10 in K-State history with his throw of 17.97m/58-11.50, placing him in 10th all-time for the shot-put competition.
Another Wildcat earning his spot in the record book on Saturday afternoon was freshman Oscar Smith, who scorched through the 60-meter hurdles event at a time of 7.98, which shoots him up to seventh place all-time in the indoor season for any Wildcat.
The 60-meter hurdles were good to K-State women's team as senior Lauren Taubert earned the victory in the sprint, crossing the line in 8.45. Her time moves her up in the K-State all-time standings to No. 8.
In the women's 60-meter race, senior Wurrie Njadoe ran by the field and into the top spot on the leaderboard with a time of 7.60.
Sophomore Alex Ferguson continued the Wildcats' winning ways later on in the women's 600-yard dash, posting a time of 1:23.13 to cross the line at the top of the standings. Ferguson finished three seconds ahead of the next runner in the victory.
Heading to the end of the meet, senior sprinter Akia Guerrier finished in fourth place for the women's 200-meter race, crossing the line at 25.45. Guerrier followed up former Wildcat A'keyla Mitchell, who took charge in the event with a blazing time of 23.68 to hold off the field in the race.
On the men's side, newcomer Tim Lambert nearly had the victory in the men's 200-meter event but came up less than a second short to finish in second place at a time of 22.66.
K-State owned the 1000-meter race once again as both sophomore Kassidy Johnson and senior Travis Hodge keep piling on the wins in the event. Johnson paced all opponents on the track with a time of 2:47.41 in the women's race. Hodge kept the pedal to the medal and finished two minutes ahead of the next runner en route to the win.
More freshmen made an impact on the day in the long-distance events for K-State as freshman Jack Thomas won his first 3000-meter race, recording a time of 8:40.13, which was 19 seconds faster than the next runner.
Closing out the DeLoss Dodds Invitational, the 4x400 meter relay commenced, resulting in victories by both the men's and women's teams. The K-State A group on the men's side brought home the win with the last athlete crossing the line at 3:15.26. For the women, the group of Taishia Pryce, Taubert, Kimisha Chambers and Macy Heinz notched the win, blazing past the other relay teams at a pace of 3:42.64. The victory also pushes this particular group into the top-10 for school history as the four relay teammates now sit at the ninth spot.
"I think there was a lot of really good doubles and even some triples," said Rovelto. "A lot of the distance kids ran both days. Some of them ran in the relays as well today. We got a lot of quality work in, which is what we need to have at this time. The meet was good to us in that we really got a lot of good work and quality efforts. All the coaching staff has to be pleased with that. There were some good quality marks, a lot of bright spots. I think it will serve us well going into the next couple of weeks."
The Wildcats conclude their stay at home and will begin preparation for the Razorback Invitational, which begins on Friday, January 31 and runs through Saturday, February 1 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
For the latest on K-State track and field, follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
DeLoss Dodds Invitational
Ahearn Field House
Manhattan, Kan.
Men's Heptathlon 60 Meter Hurdles
2. Kyle Parr, 8.68
3. Matas Adamonis, DNF
Men's Heptathlon Pole Vault
1. Kyle Parr, 3.80m/12-05.50
Men's Heptathlon 1000 Meters
1. Kyle Parr, 2:48.03
Women's Mile Run
2. Hannah Stewart, 5:01.72
3. Cara Melgares, 5:02.95
4. Jaybe Shufelberger, 5:04.53
5. Emma Lucas, 5:05.36
14. Cailan Steward, 5:34.42
Men's Mile Run
1. Ethan Powell, 4:14.47
2. Noah Stevenson, 4:15.20
3. Hadley Splechter, 4:16.36
4. Cooper Schroeder, 4:19.05
6. Mike Rohlinger, 4:23.46
7. David Lutgen, 4:25.66
8. Kerby Depenbusch, 4:26.12
9. Pierce Flanders, 4:48.11
Women's 60 Meter Hurdles
1. Lauren Taubert, 8.45
2. Kimisha Chambers, 8.51
3. Ariel Okorie, 8.69
Men's 60 Meter Hurdles
1. Oscar Smith, 7.98
2. Donovan Turner, 8.32
3. Edgaras Benkunskas, 8.38
Men's Long Jump
2. Taylor Smith, 2.10m/6-10.75
Men's 60 Meters
3. Nate Hassed, 7.09
4. Parker McCafferty, 7.18
Women's 600 Yard
1. Alex Ferguson, 1:23.13
Women's 60 Meter
1. Wurrie Njadoe, 7.60
Women's Shot Put
1. Taylor Latimer (UNA), 14.68m
2. Ashley Petr, 13.47m
5. Shaelyn Ward, 12.91m
Men's 200 Meter
2. Tim Lambert, 22.66
Women's 1000 Meter
1. Kassidy Johnson, 2:47.41
2. Emma Wren, 2:55.56
4. Cayli Hume, 2:59.53
Men's 1000 Meter
1. Travis Hodge, 2:27.20
3. Dylan Brenneman, 2:32.03
4. Kyle Johnston, 2:39.46
Women's High Jump
2. Shanae McKenzie, 1.76m/5-09.25
Men's 3000 Meter
1. Jack Thomas, 8:40.13
2. Jack Moore, 8:59.09
Women's 4x400 Meter Relay
1. Kansas Stata A, 3:42.64
2. Kansas State C, 3:56.73
Men's 4x400 Meter Relay
1. Kansas State A, 3:15.26
2. Kansas State B, 3:27.09
3. Kansas State C, 3:36.00
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