Kansas State University Athletics
Saturday, February 22
Manhattan, Kansas
Kansas State University
vs
Steve Miller Open
Track and Field Completes Steve Miller Open, Indoor Home Season Saturday
Feb 22, 2020 | Track & Field
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Closing out the final home meet inside Ahearn Field House, the Kansas State men's and women's track and field teams completed the Steve Miller Open on Saturday afternoon. The meet served as a precursor towards postseason competition as the Big 12 Indoor Championships begin next weekend.
"Typically this meet is one in which combined eventers, girls who are doing the pentathlon and guys doing the heptathlon, get a chance to do one or two events that maybe they haven't had much of a chance to compete in or we just felt like they needed a little more work under competitive circumstances," said Director of Track and Field Cliff Rovelto. "The throwers will typically throw in this meet. Short sprinters, hurdlers, typically will run something in this meet. And then longer sprinters or middle-distance people when it comes to sharpening. Solid high jumps, particularly with the men. We had a couple of good throwing marks. I think for the most part, the ones we wanted to see something more from, we saw that."
The Steve Miller Open serves as an opportunity to gain better marks in the individual's respective events before partaking in the postseason schedule of the indoor season. Those looking to make to make it to the NCAA Championships, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, can use this as a chance to improve their marks one last time for qualifying purposes.
Those competing in the field for K-State were on full display on Saturday afternoon, as the Wildcats had eight different winners amongst the competition. Freshman Kyle Alcine posted a nice mark in the high jump, clearing the bar at 2.14 m/7-00.25" and bringing home an early victory for the Wildcats.
Packing the field in the men's pole vault event, K-State had two athletes place inside the top-three with Edgaras Benkunskas earning a runner-up finish with a personal record of 4.75 m/15-07", while Chandler Heid edged his way into the third spot with a mark of 4.45m/14-07.25". Senior Sam Drelling, who competed unattached, grabbed the top spot on the leaderboard at a height of 4.90m/16-0.75".
Sophomore Jessica Williams assumed her usual spot at the top of the leaderboard for the women's pole vault event, eclipsing a mark of 3.50m/11-05.75" on her first attempt.
K-State dominated the shot put event once again as seniors Ashley Petr and Cameron Lewis earned victories in both the men's and women's competitions. Petr used a throw of 14.66m/48-01.25" to separate herself from the field, while Lewis launched a throw of 16.71m/54-10" to clinch the win.
The success in the jump events continued throughout the meet, as the Wildcats posted first-place finishes in the men's and women's triple jump competitions. Junior Angelo Gordon and senior Konstantina Romaiou had plenty of room from the other participants to notch victories with Gordon posting a jump of 14.61m/47-11.25" and Romaiou leaping into the sand at 12.02m/39-05.25".
The Wildcats experienced similar outings on the track as the team orchestrated eight victories in the latter part of the day. Senior Lauren Taubert earned one of those victories as she matched a personal best in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.42. She also helped deliver a win in the 4x400 meter relay event to close out the meet, along with Akia Guerrier, Kindel Nordhus and Ariel Okorie, with a time of 3:48.84.
"Today went well," said Taubert. "I think it was good to get back on the track before Big 12's and knowing what I need to prepare for this upcoming week. Some of the events went well for me and others not so good. That's expected. I think it's meant to be that way, so next week I can go out and have even more excitement about competing."
Long distance was a pivotal piece to K-State's success on the track, as senior Anna Keeley and freshman Jack Thomas both held off the other competitors in the 3000-meter race to take home top honors. Keeley outpaced teammate Helen Giefer by nearly seven seconds to earn the win on the women's side with a time of 10:42.76, while Thomas won the men's race by more than eight seconds with a time of 8:39.43.
Senior Jullane Walker scorched the competition once again on the track during the men's 200-meter race, posting a time of 21.81 en route to a first-place finish.
Other marks that were key for individuals preparing for next week's conference meet included senior Helene Ingvaldsen (weight throw), senior Wurrie Njadoe (60 meters) and senior Travis Hodge (800 meters).
Returning Big 12 Indoor Champions from last year include Ingvaldsen in the weight throw event and junior Tejaswin Shankar in the high jump competition.
The Wildcats begin competition at the Big 12 Indoor Championship on Friday, February 28 inside the Lied Recreation Center in Ames, Iowa.
For the latest on K-State track and field, follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
Steve Miller Open
Ahearn Field House
Manhattan, Kansas
Men's High Jump
1. Kyle Alcine, 2.14m/7-0.25
2. Taylor Smith, 2.09m/6-10.25
Women's High Jump
2. Janique Burgher, 1.71m/5-7.25
4. Maddie Righter, 1.71m/5-7.25
5. Ariel Okorie, 1.66m/5-5.25
7. Urte Bacianskaite, 1.61m/5-3.25
Men's Pole Vault
2. Edgaras Benkunskas, 4.75m/15-7.00
3. Chandler Heid, 4.45m/14-7.25
Women's Pole Vault
1. Jessica Williams, 3.50m/11-5.75
2. Hannah Buller, 3.50m/11-5.75
Women's Long Jump
1. Kindel Nordhus, 5.05m/16-7.00
Men's Triple Jump
1. Angelo Gordon, 14.61m/47-11.25
Women's Triple Jump
1. Konstantina Romaiou, 12.02m/39-5.25
Men's Shot Put
1. Cameron Lewis, 16.71m/54-10
4. Edgaras Benkunskas, 14.99m/49-2.25
7. Aaron Booth, 13.27m/43-6.50
Women's Shot Put
1. Ashley Petr, 14.66m/48-1.25
2. Urte Bacianskaite, 13.55m/44-5.50
3. Shaelyn Ward, 12.77m/41-10.75
4. Helene Ingvaldsen, 12.48m/40-11.50
7. Ariel Okorie, 10.86m/35-7.75
8. Lauren Taubert, 10.43m/34-2.75
Men's Weight Throw
1. Cameron Lewis, 18.99m/62-3.75
2. Colin Echols, 18.98m/62-3.25
3. Reese Willis, 15.68m/51-5.50
Women's Weight Throw
1. Helene Ingvaldsen, 20.32m/66-8.00
2. Ashley Petr, 20.25m/66-5.25
3. Shaelyn Ward, 19.61m/64-4.00
Women's Mile Run
1. Cailan Steward, 5:28.43
Men's Mile Run
3. Keegan Donahue, 4:53.12
Women's 60-Meter Hurdles
1. Lauren Taubert, 8.42
2. Vitoria Alves, 8.43
3. Kindel Nordhus, 9.16
Men's 60-Meter Hurdles
1. Donovan Turner, 8.07
Men's 60 Meters
9. Nate Hassed, 7.09
12. Parker McCafferty, 7.14
Women's 60 Meters
1. Wurrie Njadoe, 7.67
Men's 400 Meters
2. Tim Lambert, 49.37
3. Gabriel Louw, 49.95
Men's 800 Meters
1. Travis Hodge, 1:52.17
2. Kyle Johnston, 1:59.77
Men's 200 Meters
1. Jullane Walker, 21.81
7. Parker McCafferty, 23.18
Women's 3000 Meters
1. Anna Keeley, 10:42.76
3. Cailan Steward, 11:04.59
Women's 4x400 Meter Relay
1. Kansas State A, 3:48.84
"Typically this meet is one in which combined eventers, girls who are doing the pentathlon and guys doing the heptathlon, get a chance to do one or two events that maybe they haven't had much of a chance to compete in or we just felt like they needed a little more work under competitive circumstances," said Director of Track and Field Cliff Rovelto. "The throwers will typically throw in this meet. Short sprinters, hurdlers, typically will run something in this meet. And then longer sprinters or middle-distance people when it comes to sharpening. Solid high jumps, particularly with the men. We had a couple of good throwing marks. I think for the most part, the ones we wanted to see something more from, we saw that."
The Steve Miller Open serves as an opportunity to gain better marks in the individual's respective events before partaking in the postseason schedule of the indoor season. Those looking to make to make it to the NCAA Championships, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, can use this as a chance to improve their marks one last time for qualifying purposes.
Those competing in the field for K-State were on full display on Saturday afternoon, as the Wildcats had eight different winners amongst the competition. Freshman Kyle Alcine posted a nice mark in the high jump, clearing the bar at 2.14 m/7-00.25" and bringing home an early victory for the Wildcats.
Packing the field in the men's pole vault event, K-State had two athletes place inside the top-three with Edgaras Benkunskas earning a runner-up finish with a personal record of 4.75 m/15-07", while Chandler Heid edged his way into the third spot with a mark of 4.45m/14-07.25". Senior Sam Drelling, who competed unattached, grabbed the top spot on the leaderboard at a height of 4.90m/16-0.75".
Sophomore Jessica Williams assumed her usual spot at the top of the leaderboard for the women's pole vault event, eclipsing a mark of 3.50m/11-05.75" on her first attempt.
K-State dominated the shot put event once again as seniors Ashley Petr and Cameron Lewis earned victories in both the men's and women's competitions. Petr used a throw of 14.66m/48-01.25" to separate herself from the field, while Lewis launched a throw of 16.71m/54-10" to clinch the win.
The success in the jump events continued throughout the meet, as the Wildcats posted first-place finishes in the men's and women's triple jump competitions. Junior Angelo Gordon and senior Konstantina Romaiou had plenty of room from the other participants to notch victories with Gordon posting a jump of 14.61m/47-11.25" and Romaiou leaping into the sand at 12.02m/39-05.25".
The Wildcats experienced similar outings on the track as the team orchestrated eight victories in the latter part of the day. Senior Lauren Taubert earned one of those victories as she matched a personal best in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.42. She also helped deliver a win in the 4x400 meter relay event to close out the meet, along with Akia Guerrier, Kindel Nordhus and Ariel Okorie, with a time of 3:48.84.
"Today went well," said Taubert. "I think it was good to get back on the track before Big 12's and knowing what I need to prepare for this upcoming week. Some of the events went well for me and others not so good. That's expected. I think it's meant to be that way, so next week I can go out and have even more excitement about competing."
Long distance was a pivotal piece to K-State's success on the track, as senior Anna Keeley and freshman Jack Thomas both held off the other competitors in the 3000-meter race to take home top honors. Keeley outpaced teammate Helen Giefer by nearly seven seconds to earn the win on the women's side with a time of 10:42.76, while Thomas won the men's race by more than eight seconds with a time of 8:39.43.
Senior Jullane Walker scorched the competition once again on the track during the men's 200-meter race, posting a time of 21.81 en route to a first-place finish.
Other marks that were key for individuals preparing for next week's conference meet included senior Helene Ingvaldsen (weight throw), senior Wurrie Njadoe (60 meters) and senior Travis Hodge (800 meters).
Returning Big 12 Indoor Champions from last year include Ingvaldsen in the weight throw event and junior Tejaswin Shankar in the high jump competition.
The Wildcats begin competition at the Big 12 Indoor Championship on Friday, February 28 inside the Lied Recreation Center in Ames, Iowa.
For the latest on K-State track and field, follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
Steve Miller Open
Ahearn Field House
Manhattan, Kansas
Men's High Jump
1. Kyle Alcine, 2.14m/7-0.25
2. Taylor Smith, 2.09m/6-10.25
Women's High Jump
2. Janique Burgher, 1.71m/5-7.25
4. Maddie Righter, 1.71m/5-7.25
5. Ariel Okorie, 1.66m/5-5.25
7. Urte Bacianskaite, 1.61m/5-3.25
Men's Pole Vault
2. Edgaras Benkunskas, 4.75m/15-7.00
3. Chandler Heid, 4.45m/14-7.25
Women's Pole Vault
1. Jessica Williams, 3.50m/11-5.75
2. Hannah Buller, 3.50m/11-5.75
Women's Long Jump
1. Kindel Nordhus, 5.05m/16-7.00
Men's Triple Jump
1. Angelo Gordon, 14.61m/47-11.25
Women's Triple Jump
1. Konstantina Romaiou, 12.02m/39-5.25
Men's Shot Put
1. Cameron Lewis, 16.71m/54-10
4. Edgaras Benkunskas, 14.99m/49-2.25
7. Aaron Booth, 13.27m/43-6.50
Women's Shot Put
1. Ashley Petr, 14.66m/48-1.25
2. Urte Bacianskaite, 13.55m/44-5.50
3. Shaelyn Ward, 12.77m/41-10.75
4. Helene Ingvaldsen, 12.48m/40-11.50
7. Ariel Okorie, 10.86m/35-7.75
8. Lauren Taubert, 10.43m/34-2.75
Men's Weight Throw
1. Cameron Lewis, 18.99m/62-3.75
2. Colin Echols, 18.98m/62-3.25
3. Reese Willis, 15.68m/51-5.50
Women's Weight Throw
1. Helene Ingvaldsen, 20.32m/66-8.00
2. Ashley Petr, 20.25m/66-5.25
3. Shaelyn Ward, 19.61m/64-4.00
Women's Mile Run
1. Cailan Steward, 5:28.43
Men's Mile Run
3. Keegan Donahue, 4:53.12
Women's 60-Meter Hurdles
1. Lauren Taubert, 8.42
2. Vitoria Alves, 8.43
3. Kindel Nordhus, 9.16
Men's 60-Meter Hurdles
1. Donovan Turner, 8.07
Men's 60 Meters
9. Nate Hassed, 7.09
12. Parker McCafferty, 7.14
Women's 60 Meters
1. Wurrie Njadoe, 7.67
Men's 400 Meters
2. Tim Lambert, 49.37
3. Gabriel Louw, 49.95
Men's 800 Meters
1. Travis Hodge, 1:52.17
2. Kyle Johnston, 1:59.77
Men's 200 Meters
1. Jullane Walker, 21.81
7. Parker McCafferty, 23.18
Women's 3000 Meters
1. Anna Keeley, 10:42.76
3. Cailan Steward, 11:04.59
Women's 4x400 Meter Relay
1. Kansas State A, 3:48.84
Players Mentioned
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