Wildcats Piece Together Efficient Day at Jayhawk Classic
Jan 22, 2021 | Track & Field
LAWRENCE, Kansas – Opening another meet with Sunflower State opponents, the Kansas State track and field teams pieced together a victory on the track and in the field to mark a successful outing at the first portion of the Jayhawk Classic on Friday (January 22) afternoon.
"We are certainly getting to be more consistent in terms of performance in the weight," said Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto. "We can continue to make progress as well, which is a good thing. As far as track stuff, folks will begin racing faster in the coming weeks as they get more time on the track."
Beginning the day on the track, K-State used a victory from Sean Wilson in the 400 meters to raise its level of intensity in the opening portion of the Jayhawk Classic. Wilson, who resides from Mansfield, Texas, sped around the track inside Anschultz Pavilion at a time of 50.75, which outlasted his fellow Kansas and Wichita State counterparts with less than a second to spare.
"On the last stretch, I was thinking of just maintaining my ground and finishing strong,' said Wilson on his win. "It's going to be a fight especially since I got out a lot faster than normal, so I was going to be a little drained. I just needed to push through."
"My preparation through this week was trying to drop my weight while keeping enough muscle to fight through the last 150 meters in the 400."
Wilson was not the only one to make his mark inside Anschultz Pavilion on Friday afternoon, as senior Shaelyn Ward captured another win in the weight throw competition with a toss of 19.20m. Ward launched her winning hurl during her third attempt in the event.
"Lately, the difference between my throws has been the rhythm and timing of the throw," said Ward. "The more we get into the season and the more competition throws I get to make, then the better things will progress for me. For me, remaining calm and confident in my throws has been the most important aspect."
Ward's training regime has also increased over the past few weeks, which carried over in her victory today.
"Training has been ramping up more and more," Ward stated. "It's exciting to be more in shape for the season to throw the weight far. Our indoor season has a lot of meets but it goes fast, so we are all preparing to throw as far as possible when Big 12's arrives, and hopefully at the NCAA's. I've been trusting my training and trying to improve each week."
Junior All-American Taylor Latimer and freshman Jasmine Greer followed suit in the weight throw with top-three performances in the field. Latimer pushed herself to a runner-up finish at a mark of 18.11m, while Greer set a new personal record with a throw of 17.01m to place third overall.
Finishing with a bronze medal in the women's 400 meters was junior Alex Ferguson, as she posted a personal best time of 57.03 seconds, which was just behind the Jayhawks' Anna Siemens (1st, 56.60) and teammate Lauren Taubert (2nd, 56.80). Taubert ran unattached for the race.
The Wildcats tacked on a few more silver medals on the men's side, as senior Colin Echols and junior Stephen Kielhofner recorded nice outings, with Echols returning to form in the weight throw and Kielhofner scorching around the track. Echols fired a throw of 20.18m to clinch a spot at second place, while Kielhofner scored a time of 4:18.99 in the men's mile run to claim runner-up honors.
It was a nice effort from freshman Kade McCall in the weight throw on Friday afternoon, as the Boise, Idaho, native registered a throw at 16.52m, which placed him in the top five for the competition.
The Wildcats stay put for the second segment of the Jayhawk Classic, which begins tomorrow at 11 a.m., CT, with field events inside Anschultz Pavilion.
Jayhawk Classic
Anschultz Pavilion
Lawrence, Kan.
Women's Weight Throw
1. Shaelyn Ward, 19.20m
2. Taylor Latimer, 18.11m
3. Jasmine Greer, 17.01m (P.R.)
5. Emily Fuhr, 16.56m (P.R.)
8. Krysten Bartlett, 13.52m (P.R.)
Men's Weight Throw
2. Colin Echols, 20.18m
5. Kade McCall, 16.52m
12. James Higgs, 13.29m
Women's Mile Run
3. Cailan Steward, 5:20.27 (P.R.)
Men's Mile Run
2. Stephen Kielhofner, 4:18.99 (P.R.)
6. Aiden Higgerson, 4:23.30 (P.R.)
7. Jack Moore, 4:25.18 (P.R.)
Men's 60 Meters
7. Nate Hassed, 7.08
Women's 400 Meters
3. Alex Ferguson, 57.03 (P.R.)
5. Jessica Caraway, 1:01.12 (P.R.)
Men's 400 Meters,
4. Sean Wilson, 50.75
For the latest on K-State track and field follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
"We are certainly getting to be more consistent in terms of performance in the weight," said Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto. "We can continue to make progress as well, which is a good thing. As far as track stuff, folks will begin racing faster in the coming weeks as they get more time on the track."
Beginning the day on the track, K-State used a victory from Sean Wilson in the 400 meters to raise its level of intensity in the opening portion of the Jayhawk Classic. Wilson, who resides from Mansfield, Texas, sped around the track inside Anschultz Pavilion at a time of 50.75, which outlasted his fellow Kansas and Wichita State counterparts with less than a second to spare.
"On the last stretch, I was thinking of just maintaining my ground and finishing strong,' said Wilson on his win. "It's going to be a fight especially since I got out a lot faster than normal, so I was going to be a little drained. I just needed to push through."
"My preparation through this week was trying to drop my weight while keeping enough muscle to fight through the last 150 meters in the 400."
Wilson was not the only one to make his mark inside Anschultz Pavilion on Friday afternoon, as senior Shaelyn Ward captured another win in the weight throw competition with a toss of 19.20m. Ward launched her winning hurl during her third attempt in the event.
"Lately, the difference between my throws has been the rhythm and timing of the throw," said Ward. "The more we get into the season and the more competition throws I get to make, then the better things will progress for me. For me, remaining calm and confident in my throws has been the most important aspect."
Ward's training regime has also increased over the past few weeks, which carried over in her victory today.
"Training has been ramping up more and more," Ward stated. "It's exciting to be more in shape for the season to throw the weight far. Our indoor season has a lot of meets but it goes fast, so we are all preparing to throw as far as possible when Big 12's arrives, and hopefully at the NCAA's. I've been trusting my training and trying to improve each week."
Junior All-American Taylor Latimer and freshman Jasmine Greer followed suit in the weight throw with top-three performances in the field. Latimer pushed herself to a runner-up finish at a mark of 18.11m, while Greer set a new personal record with a throw of 17.01m to place third overall.
Finishing with a bronze medal in the women's 400 meters was junior Alex Ferguson, as she posted a personal best time of 57.03 seconds, which was just behind the Jayhawks' Anna Siemens (1st, 56.60) and teammate Lauren Taubert (2nd, 56.80). Taubert ran unattached for the race.
The Wildcats tacked on a few more silver medals on the men's side, as senior Colin Echols and junior Stephen Kielhofner recorded nice outings, with Echols returning to form in the weight throw and Kielhofner scorching around the track. Echols fired a throw of 20.18m to clinch a spot at second place, while Kielhofner scored a time of 4:18.99 in the men's mile run to claim runner-up honors.
It was a nice effort from freshman Kade McCall in the weight throw on Friday afternoon, as the Boise, Idaho, native registered a throw at 16.52m, which placed him in the top five for the competition.
The Wildcats stay put for the second segment of the Jayhawk Classic, which begins tomorrow at 11 a.m., CT, with field events inside Anschultz Pavilion.
Jayhawk Classic
Anschultz Pavilion
Lawrence, Kan.
Women's Weight Throw
1. Shaelyn Ward, 19.20m
2. Taylor Latimer, 18.11m
3. Jasmine Greer, 17.01m (P.R.)
5. Emily Fuhr, 16.56m (P.R.)
8. Krysten Bartlett, 13.52m (P.R.)
Men's Weight Throw
2. Colin Echols, 20.18m
5. Kade McCall, 16.52m
12. James Higgs, 13.29m
Women's Mile Run
3. Cailan Steward, 5:20.27 (P.R.)
Men's Mile Run
2. Stephen Kielhofner, 4:18.99 (P.R.)
6. Aiden Higgerson, 4:23.30 (P.R.)
7. Jack Moore, 4:25.18 (P.R.)
Men's 60 Meters
7. Nate Hassed, 7.08
Women's 400 Meters
3. Alex Ferguson, 57.03 (P.R.)
5. Jessica Caraway, 1:01.12 (P.R.)
Men's 400 Meters,
4. Sean Wilson, 50.75
For the latest on K-State track and field follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
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