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
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
Taubert, Shankar Show Out on First Leg of DeLoss Dodds Invitational
Jan 29, 2021 | Track & Field
MANHATTAN, Kansas – A victory in women's pentathlon by senior Lauren Taubert followed by a stellar outing from senior Tejaswin Shankar in the men's heptathlon jump started the Kansas State track and field teams on the first day of the DeLoss Dodds Invitational inside Ahearn Field House on Friday (January 29) afternoon.
"The combined event athletes did fairly well, considering where they are in the training development," said Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto. "I thought Regan (Dineen) did a nice job in her first pentathlon ever. TJ (Tejaswin Shankar) did well from my perspective, considering how hard he has been training. Lauren (Taubert) actually did better than I thought she could at this point. She, too, has been training very hard."
Taubert, who has competed unattached this indoor season, returned to form in the pentathlon event, as the senior collected 4,230 points to clinch the women's title. The Casper, Wyoming, native collected four of the possible five victories in the pentathlon, including a new personal record in the 60-meter hurdles. Clocking in at 8.33 seconds, she blew past her competitors on the track to grab an early lead and never looked back en route to her pentathlon win.
"I have been struggling in the long jump and shot put lately," said Taubert. "Coming out today, I was really focused on improving in those events. My endurance is getting there. I ran better than I did last time. The 800's is one of my stronger events and coach's training has really helped me be successful in that event. I am really grateful to have a coach who can help set me up in that event where I can get a lot of points back."
Shankar hopped over the bar on his third attempt to break the national tie with Oklahoma's Vernon Turner, who now ranks 2nd in the NCAA at 2.24m/7-4.25. Shankar's leap in the high jump also pushed him to No. 1 all-time in school history for any heptathlon athlete.
"I had a fairly average start out of the blocks," said Shankar. "So, I needed a significant score to end the day on a high, because tomorrow all I have is the hurdles and the 1000 meters. I have never done the pole vault, so I really don't know what to expect. Getting 2.25m in the high jump is really good going into tomorrow. I am looking forward to having a good day off the hurdles and finishing strong with the 1000 meters.
"I really think I could've jumped 2.28m today. Honestly, to do that in the heptathlon, puts me in a good state of mind of how much higher I could go if I had a fresher body."
A trio of underclassmen took part in the pentathlon on Friday, with sophomores Maddie Righter, Urte Bacianskaite and freshman Regan Dineen scoring quality performances. Bacianskaite launched herself to first place in the shot put with a new personal record of 14.47m/47-5.75. K-State athletes would lock up all five pentathlon events with those wins from Bacianskaite and Taubert.
The latter part of the Friday's schedule concluded with the pole vault and weight throw competitions. K-State filled out the start lists for both events, which resulted in seniors Colin Echols (1st, Weight Throw) and Shaelyn Ward (1st, Weight Throw), sophomore Jessica Williams (1st, Pole Vault), and sophomore Chandler Heid (1st, Pole Vault) all earning first-place honors in their respective events.
Ward's performance bumped her up the top-10 list for the indoor season in school history, as the product of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, fired a throw of 20.32m/66-8.00, which was good for seventh all-time.
"The weight competitions went very well," said Rovelto. "Four gals had PR's. Colin (Echols) is consistently getting over 20 meters, so he is getting ready for a breakthrough."
K-State stays put for the final day of the DeLoss Dodds Invitational on Saturday morning. The men's heptathlon will begin part two of its slate tomorrow at 8:30 a.m., CT.
DeLoss Dodds Invitational
Ahearn Field House
Manhattan, Kan.
Women's Pentathlon Scores
1. Lauren Taubert (UNA), 4,230 points
5. Urte Bacianskaite, 3,481 points
7. Regan Dineen, 3,470 points
8. Maddie Righter, 3,321 points
Men's Heptathlon Scores (Day 1)
1. Tejaswin Shankar, 3,338 points
4. Matas Adamonis, 2,814 points
Women's Pentathlon 60m Hurdles
1. Lauren Taubert (UNA), 8.33 (P.R.)
2. Kimisha Chambers, 8.45
3. Vitoria Alves, 8.67
7. Maddie Righter, 9.20
8. Urte Bacianskaite, 9.48 (P.R.)
10. Regan Dineen, 9.58
Women's Pentathlon High Jump
1.Lauren Taubert (UNA), 1.73m/5-8.00
3. Maddie Righter, 1.70m/5-7.00
5. Urte Bacianskaite, 1.64m/5-4.50
7. Regan Dineen, 1.58m/5-2.25
Men's Heptathlon 60 Meters
1. Tejaswin Shankar, 7.21 (P.R.)
4. Matas Adamonis, 7.49
Men's Heptathlon Long Jump
1. Tejaswin Shankar, 7.31m/23-11.75
4. Matas Adamonis, 6.33m/20-9.25
Women's Pentathlon Shot Put
1. Urte Bacianskaite, 14.47m/47-5.75 (P.R.)
3. Lauren Taubert (UNA), 11.34m/37-2.50
6. Maddie Righter, 10.04.32-11.25
7. Regan Dineen, 9.37m/30-9.00 (P.R.)
Men's Heptathlon Shot Put
1. Matas Adamonis, 13.67m/44-10.25
5. Tejaswin Shankar, 11.90m/39-0.50
Women's Pentathlon Long Jump
1. Lauren Taubert (UNA), 5.85m/19-2.50
3. Regan Dineen, 5.71m/18-9.00 (P.R.)
4. Maddie Righter, 5.51m/18-1.00
6. Urte Bacianskaite, 5.21m/17-1.25
Women's Pentathlon 800 Meters
1. Lauren Taubert (UNA), 2:17.18
6. Regan Dineen, 2:28.19 (P.R.)
7. Urte Bacianskaite, 2:51.92
8. Maddie Righter, 3:00.30
Men's Heptathlon High Jump
1. Tejaswin Shankar, 2.25m/7-4.50
3. Matas Adamonis, 1.92m/6-3.50
Women's Pole Vault
1. Jessica Williams, 3.65m/11-11.75
2. Victoria Maxton, 3.35m/10-11.75 (P.R.)
Women's Weight Throw
1. Shaelyn Ward, 20.32m/66-8.00 (P.R.)
2. Taylor Latimer, 19.06m/62-6.50 (P.R.)
3. Jaycee Schroeder, 16.48m/54-1.00 (P.R.)
4. Jasmine Greer, 16.30m/53-5.75
5. Emily Fuhr, 15.86m/52-0.50
6. Krysten Bartlett, 13.94m/45-9.00 (P.R)
Men's Pole Vault
1. Chandler Heid, 4.60m/15-1.00
2. Brian Simon, 4.60m/15-1.00
Men's Weight Throw
1. Colin Echols, 20.33m/66-8.50
2. Kade McCall, 17.71m/58-1.25 (P.R.)
3. James Higgs, 12.73m/41-9.25
For the latest on K-State track and field follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
"The combined event athletes did fairly well, considering where they are in the training development," said Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto. "I thought Regan (Dineen) did a nice job in her first pentathlon ever. TJ (Tejaswin Shankar) did well from my perspective, considering how hard he has been training. Lauren (Taubert) actually did better than I thought she could at this point. She, too, has been training very hard."
Taubert, who has competed unattached this indoor season, returned to form in the pentathlon event, as the senior collected 4,230 points to clinch the women's title. The Casper, Wyoming, native collected four of the possible five victories in the pentathlon, including a new personal record in the 60-meter hurdles. Clocking in at 8.33 seconds, she blew past her competitors on the track to grab an early lead and never looked back en route to her pentathlon win.
"I have been struggling in the long jump and shot put lately," said Taubert. "Coming out today, I was really focused on improving in those events. My endurance is getting there. I ran better than I did last time. The 800's is one of my stronger events and coach's training has really helped me be successful in that event. I am really grateful to have a coach who can help set me up in that event where I can get a lot of points back."
On the men's side, Shankar took an early lead in the first part of the heptathlon competition, as the New Delhi, India, native recorded 3,338 points through four events. With it being the first time Shankar has laced up his shoes for the heptathlon, the All-American high jumper showed he belonged in the combined-event field, as he soared to an NCAA-leading high jump mark of 2.25m/7-4.50 in the last event of the day.Pentathlon Champ🏆🥇
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) January 29, 2021
Lauren Taubert ➡️ 4,230 points#KStateTF pic.twitter.com/xUPxQ37PLK
Shankar hopped over the bar on his third attempt to break the national tie with Oklahoma's Vernon Turner, who now ranks 2nd in the NCAA at 2.24m/7-4.25. Shankar's leap in the high jump also pushed him to No. 1 all-time in school history for any heptathlon athlete.
"I had a fairly average start out of the blocks," said Shankar. "So, I needed a significant score to end the day on a high, because tomorrow all I have is the hurdles and the 1000 meters. I have never done the pole vault, so I really don't know what to expect. Getting 2.25m in the high jump is really good going into tomorrow. I am looking forward to having a good day off the hurdles and finishing strong with the 1000 meters.
"I really think I could've jumped 2.28m today. Honestly, to do that in the heptathlon, puts me in a good state of mind of how much higher I could go if I had a fresher body."
Junior Matas Adamonis returned to make his mark in the heptathlon competition, as the Kaunas, Lithuania, product displayed his strength and scored a win in the shot put event with a mark of 13.67m/44-10.25.✈️ @TejaswinShankar can fly ✈️
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) January 30, 2021
📊 2.25m/7-4.50 - #1 HJ in NCAA@NCAATrackField x @USTFCCCA pic.twitter.com/bvzsuZ8Usv
A trio of underclassmen took part in the pentathlon on Friday, with sophomores Maddie Righter, Urte Bacianskaite and freshman Regan Dineen scoring quality performances. Bacianskaite launched herself to first place in the shot put with a new personal record of 14.47m/47-5.75. K-State athletes would lock up all five pentathlon events with those wins from Bacianskaite and Taubert.
Keep going, keep thriving👟#KStateTF pic.twitter.com/eS25cIg07o
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) January 29, 2021
The latter part of the Friday's schedule concluded with the pole vault and weight throw competitions. K-State filled out the start lists for both events, which resulted in seniors Colin Echols (1st, Weight Throw) and Shaelyn Ward (1st, Weight Throw), sophomore Jessica Williams (1st, Pole Vault), and sophomore Chandler Heid (1st, Pole Vault) all earning first-place honors in their respective events.
Ward's performance bumped her up the top-10 list for the indoor season in school history, as the product of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, fired a throw of 20.32m/66-8.00, which was good for seventh all-time.
"The weight competitions went very well," said Rovelto. "Four gals had PR's. Colin (Echols) is consistently getting over 20 meters, so he is getting ready for a breakthrough."
K-State stays put for the final day of the DeLoss Dodds Invitational on Saturday morning. The men's heptathlon will begin part two of its slate tomorrow at 8:30 a.m., CT.
DeLoss Dodds Invitational
Ahearn Field House
Manhattan, Kan.
Women's Pentathlon Scores
1. Lauren Taubert (UNA), 4,230 points
5. Urte Bacianskaite, 3,481 points
7. Regan Dineen, 3,470 points
8. Maddie Righter, 3,321 points
Men's Heptathlon Scores (Day 1)
1. Tejaswin Shankar, 3,338 points
4. Matas Adamonis, 2,814 points
Women's Pentathlon 60m Hurdles
1. Lauren Taubert (UNA), 8.33 (P.R.)
2. Kimisha Chambers, 8.45
3. Vitoria Alves, 8.67
7. Maddie Righter, 9.20
8. Urte Bacianskaite, 9.48 (P.R.)
10. Regan Dineen, 9.58
Women's Pentathlon High Jump
1.Lauren Taubert (UNA), 1.73m/5-8.00
3. Maddie Righter, 1.70m/5-7.00
5. Urte Bacianskaite, 1.64m/5-4.50
7. Regan Dineen, 1.58m/5-2.25
Men's Heptathlon 60 Meters
1. Tejaswin Shankar, 7.21 (P.R.)
4. Matas Adamonis, 7.49
Men's Heptathlon Long Jump
1. Tejaswin Shankar, 7.31m/23-11.75
4. Matas Adamonis, 6.33m/20-9.25
Women's Pentathlon Shot Put
1. Urte Bacianskaite, 14.47m/47-5.75 (P.R.)
3. Lauren Taubert (UNA), 11.34m/37-2.50
6. Maddie Righter, 10.04.32-11.25
7. Regan Dineen, 9.37m/30-9.00 (P.R.)
Men's Heptathlon Shot Put
1. Matas Adamonis, 13.67m/44-10.25
5. Tejaswin Shankar, 11.90m/39-0.50
Women's Pentathlon Long Jump
1. Lauren Taubert (UNA), 5.85m/19-2.50
3. Regan Dineen, 5.71m/18-9.00 (P.R.)
4. Maddie Righter, 5.51m/18-1.00
6. Urte Bacianskaite, 5.21m/17-1.25
Women's Pentathlon 800 Meters
1. Lauren Taubert (UNA), 2:17.18
6. Regan Dineen, 2:28.19 (P.R.)
7. Urte Bacianskaite, 2:51.92
8. Maddie Righter, 3:00.30
Men's Heptathlon High Jump
1. Tejaswin Shankar, 2.25m/7-4.50
3. Matas Adamonis, 1.92m/6-3.50
Women's Pole Vault
1. Jessica Williams, 3.65m/11-11.75
2. Victoria Maxton, 3.35m/10-11.75 (P.R.)
Women's Weight Throw
1. Shaelyn Ward, 20.32m/66-8.00 (P.R.)
2. Taylor Latimer, 19.06m/62-6.50 (P.R.)
3. Jaycee Schroeder, 16.48m/54-1.00 (P.R.)
4. Jasmine Greer, 16.30m/53-5.75
5. Emily Fuhr, 15.86m/52-0.50
6. Krysten Bartlett, 13.94m/45-9.00 (P.R)
Men's Pole Vault
1. Chandler Heid, 4.60m/15-1.00
2. Brian Simon, 4.60m/15-1.00
Men's Weight Throw
1. Colin Echols, 20.33m/66-8.50
2. Kade McCall, 17.71m/58-1.25 (P.R.)
3. James Higgs, 12.73m/41-9.25
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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K-State Track & Field | Thane Baker Invitational Recap
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K-State Track & Field | Uniform Reveal
Tuesday, November 11
