Kansas State University Athletics
Saturday, January 9
Manhattan, Kan.
9:00 AM
Kansas State University
vs
Wildcat Invitational
K-State Strings Together 14 Individual Wins at Wildcat Invitational
Jan 09, 2021 | Track & Field
MANHATTAN, Kansas – Entering a new year, the Kansas State men's and women's track and field teams maintained their momentum from just a few weeks ago to score another impressive outing inside Ahearn Field House on Saturday at the Wildcat Invitational. The groups collected 14 combined wins, which also included eight individual victories on the track in the afternoon session.
"The biggest thing I looked for when coming off a break like this is how people compete and also, particularly those people who doubled, we get a sense of how good of shape they are in," said Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto.
Those victories on the track were highlighted by junior Vitoria Alves' 60-meter hurdles win, who thrilled those in attendance with an exhilarating finish. The Sao Paulo, Brazil, native scorched her way to a victory in the 60-meter hurdles race in 8.22 seconds, which gave her the second-best outing in school history. She only trails former Wildcat All-American Akela Jones, who recorded a school record 8.00 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles back in 2016.
"I just felt that I did a great job and finally had one of my goals accomplished for the year," said Alves. "Last year, I had a difficult time, and I wasn't able to come back to the USA to practice with the team during the fall. But I kept working hard and finally, I came back and competed in my first meet.
"It is amazing to have my name near the top in school history. I think that gives me more motivation moving forward."
Alves, who was unable to train in Manhattan until recently, was training in her home country of Brazil to stay ready when she was able to compete again at K-State. Saturday's race showed she was ready to go from the start according to Rovelto.
"Vitoria has done a good job," stated Rovelto. She was not here in Manhattan this semester. She was stuck in Brazil because of a travel ban. But she literally sent me every video of every workout she did. And other than the period where she missed some time, she did a really fine job of training. Under less-than-ideal conditions, she did a really fine job of training and it pays off."
Freshman Kyle Gale broke another K-State meet record for the second-consecutive event, as he blazed his way to a 300-meter victory with a time of 34.32. His time of 34.32 broke a nine-year mark for the Wildcat Invitational, which returned to K-State's schedule this season after a year off.
"Coach (Rovelto) has helped me a lot," stated Gale. "My aim is to keep improving. In the 300, we were working on speed. Coach has been reassuring me that I can perform at this type of level, and I think I ran well today."
Gale also ran in the 4x400 meter relay at the end of the meet, where he helped his group secure the top time in the race. The freshman did his part, as he ran a time of 47.51 in his portion of the race to give the K-State A squad the victory at 3:18.54.
"Kyle trained very well, and he was one of the few who stayed in town the entire time," Rovelto said. "On the relay, I thought he ran exceptionally well. He closed very, very well. He is in a good place. I think physically, and psychologically, he is in a good place. I think over the next two or three weeks, he will run some exceptional times."
The Wildcats scored another victory in the 60-meter hurdles on the men's side, as senior Tejaswin Shankar showcased his talents on the track with a blistering time of 8.16, which shattered his personal best.
"It has been a year since I ran the 800, so today, the goal was to get a good workout in," said Johnson. "I wanted to get the 800 in this week so I can have a little more confidence going into next weekend. I am definitely not satisfied with today's race, but I think it is a fine place to start and hope to cut down the time as the season goes on.
"In the last two years, I have had an 800 time that was close to qualifying for nationals, so I would love to get back down to that time and just see where I can take that."
Jumping enthusiast Anigbata Grace Chinonyelum notched her first victory in the long jump event with a leap of 5.89m/19-4.00 to highlight K-State's success in the field. Previously, Chinonyelum clinched a victory in the triple jump during the K-State Winter Invitational, which was the fifth-best performance in school history for the indoor season.
The shot-put competition was filled with Wildcats at the top of the leaderboard for both slates due in part to senior Colin Echols and junior Taylor Latimer. Echols launched a throw of 20.48m/67-2.25 in the men's event, which was enough to score another win for the indoor season. Latimer found success on the final throw of her outing, as she nailed a mark of 18.91m/62-.01.50 to claim the women's title in the morning session.
Many newcomers competed for the first time in the indoor season at K-State on Saturday, and they were ready to roll as freshmen Jaycee Schroeder and Will Carroll – along with sophomore Devon Richardson – clinched the top spots for their respective events. Schroeder, a product of Dandridge, Tennessee, posted a mark of 14.35m/47-1.00 to claim the top honors in the shot put. Her throw edged out Latimer's mark of 14.33m/47-0.25, who took home a runner-up finish.
Carroll bolted around the Ward Haylett Track at a pace of 2:36.44, which gave him the victory in the 1000 meters. Richardson got an opportunity to show off his skills in the high jump event, and he did not disappoint, as the Lee's Summit, Missouri, native soared above the bar at 2.06m/6-9.00 while ringing in the new year with a win of his own.
Junior Mike Rohlinger recorded a victory in the mile race in convincing fashion with a time of 4:20.16, coming up just five seconds short of his personal best (4:15.34).
K-State owned each of its opponents in dual meet scoring on Saturday, with the closest contest being North Texas at a narrow 55-51 margin.
The Wildcats continue their homestand with the KU-KSU-WSU Triangular next week on Saturday, January 16 inside Ahearn Field House. In last year's meet, K-State pulled away with the victory and will look to repeat against Kansas and Wichita State for the second-straight year.
"Our expectation is to win the meet," said Rovelto. "Every time we line up in the meet, we want to win. If we would enter the meet today – assuming all those people are okay regarding COVID-19 protocols and contract tracing ordeals – I think we will have a really good team on both sides. That is my biggest worry right now. I think we have a good group, but we just got to stay healthy."
Wildcat Invitational
Ahearn Field House
Manhattan, Kan.
Women's High Jump
1. Maddie Righter, 1.65m/5-5.00
3. Regan Dineen, 1.55m/5-1.00
Men's Pole Vault
2. Brian Simon, 4.75m/15-7.00 (P.R.)
3. Chandler Heid, 4.45m/14-7.25
Women's Weight Throw
1. Taylor Latimer, 18.91m/62-.0.50
3. Jasmine Greer, 16.22m/53-2.75 (P.R.)
5. Emily Fuhr, 15.51m/50-10.75
7. Jaycee Schroeder, 15.43m/50-7.50 (P.R.)
10. Krysten Bartlett, 13.00m/42-8.00 (P.R.)
Women's Shot Put
1. Jaycee Schroeder, 14.35m/47-1.00 (P.R.)
2. Taylor Latimer, 14.33m/47-0.25
4. Urte Bacianskaite, 13.92m/45-8.00
5. Jasmine Greer, 12.53m/41-1.50 (P.R.)
8. Krysten Bartlett, 11.06m/36-3.50 (P.R.)
9. Emily Fuhr, 9.72m/31-10.75
Men's High Jump
1. Devon Richardson, 2.06m/6-9.00 (P.R.)
Men's Long Jump
3. Kyle Parr (UNA), 6.43m/21-1.25
Women's Pole Vault
2. Jessica Williams, 3.70m/12-1.50
3. Reagan Hukill, 3.70m/12-1.50
Men's Weight Throw
1. Colin Echols, 20.48m/67-2.25
3. Kade McCall, 16.98m/55-8.50
8. James Higgs, 13.43m/44-0.75
Women's Long Jump
1. Anigbata Chinonyelum, 5.89m/19-4.00
Men's Shot Put
4. Matas Adamonis, 14.43m/47-4.25
5. Jackson Gibbon, 14.30m/46-11.00
7. James Higgs, 13.58m/44-6.75
Women's 60m Hurdles
1. Vitoria Alves, 8.22 (P.R.)
8. Maddie Righter, 9.29
9. Regan Dineen, 9.61
10. Urte Bacianskaite, 9.76
Men's 60m Hurdles
1. Tejaswin Shankar, 8.16 (P.R.)
7. Matas Adamonis, 8.79
Women's 300 Meters
1. Taishia Pryce, 40.19
Men's 300 Meters
1. Kyle Gale, 34.32 (Meet Record)
2. Tim Lambert, 34.74 (P.R.)
Women's 400 Meters
2. Lauren Taubert (UNA), 57.51
Women's 800 Meters
1. Kassidy Johnson, 2:13.44
2. Hannah Stewart, 2:19.81
3. Jessica Caraway, 2:19.88
Women's 1000 Meters
1. Sydney Burton, 2:58.35 (P.R.)
3. Delaney Kemp, 3:04.58 (P.R.)
Men's 1000 Meters
1. Will Carroll, 2:36.44 (P.R.)
2. Christian Buehler, 2:36.92 (P.R.)
3. Ryan Derry, 2:40.09 (P.R.)
Men's 4x400 Relay
1. K-State A, 3:18.54
Women's 4x400 Relay
3. K-State A, 4:05.46
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 biggest thing I looked for when coming off a break like this is how people compete and also, particularly those people who doubled, we get a sense of how good of shape they are in," said Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto.
Those victories on the track were highlighted by junior Vitoria Alves' 60-meter hurdles win, who thrilled those in attendance with an exhilarating finish. The Sao Paulo, Brazil, native scorched her way to a victory in the 60-meter hurdles race in 8.22 seconds, which gave her the second-best outing in school history. She only trails former Wildcat All-American Akela Jones, who recorded a school record 8.00 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles back in 2016.
"I just felt that I did a great job and finally had one of my goals accomplished for the year," said Alves. "Last year, I had a difficult time, and I wasn't able to come back to the USA to practice with the team during the fall. But I kept working hard and finally, I came back and competed in my first meet.
"It is amazing to have my name near the top in school history. I think that gives me more motivation moving forward."
Alves, who was unable to train in Manhattan until recently, was training in her home country of Brazil to stay ready when she was able to compete again at K-State. Saturday's race showed she was ready to go from the start according to Rovelto.
"Vitoria has done a good job," stated Rovelto. She was not here in Manhattan this semester. She was stuck in Brazil because of a travel ban. But she literally sent me every video of every workout she did. And other than the period where she missed some time, she did a really fine job of training. Under less-than-ideal conditions, she did a really fine job of training and it pays off."
Freshman Kyle Gale broke another K-State meet record for the second-consecutive event, as he blazed his way to a 300-meter victory with a time of 34.32. His time of 34.32 broke a nine-year mark for the Wildcat Invitational, which returned to K-State's schedule this season after a year off.
"Coach (Rovelto) has helped me a lot," stated Gale. "My aim is to keep improving. In the 300, we were working on speed. Coach has been reassuring me that I can perform at this type of level, and I think I ran well today."
Gale also ran in the 4x400 meter relay at the end of the meet, where he helped his group secure the top time in the race. The freshman did his part, as he ran a time of 47.51 in his portion of the race to give the K-State A squad the victory at 3:18.54.
"Kyle trained very well, and he was one of the few who stayed in town the entire time," Rovelto said. "On the relay, I thought he ran exceptionally well. He closed very, very well. He is in a good place. I think physically, and psychologically, he is in a good place. I think over the next two or three weeks, he will run some exceptional times."
MEET RECORD!!
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) January 9, 2021
Kyle Gale does it again, this time in the 300-meter race with a blistering pace of 34.32! His time broke a nine-year mark for the Wildcat Invitational.#KStateTF x #EMAW pic.twitter.com/YY4uK9nlKh
The Wildcats scored another victory in the 60-meter hurdles on the men's side, as senior Tejaswin Shankar showcased his talents on the track with a blistering time of 8.16, which shattered his personal best.
Junior Kassidy Johnson picked up her second win of the year and her first in the 800 meters with a pace of 2:13.44. Johnson, who also races in the 1000 meters for the indoor season, hopes today's victory will lead towards more opportunities to compete in doubles as the season continues.These two lit up the track today👟✌️
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) January 9, 2021
Wildcat Invitational | Ahearn Field House#KStateTF x @TejaswinShankar x @vitoriasenaaa pic.twitter.com/bRYEPHklGJ
"It has been a year since I ran the 800, so today, the goal was to get a good workout in," said Johnson. "I wanted to get the 800 in this week so I can have a little more confidence going into next weekend. I am definitely not satisfied with today's race, but I think it is a fine place to start and hope to cut down the time as the season goes on.
"In the last two years, I have had an 800 time that was close to qualifying for nationals, so I would love to get back down to that time and just see where I can take that."
Jumping enthusiast Anigbata Grace Chinonyelum notched her first victory in the long jump event with a leap of 5.89m/19-4.00 to highlight K-State's success in the field. Previously, Chinonyelum clinched a victory in the triple jump during the K-State Winter Invitational, which was the fifth-best performance in school history for the indoor season.
Jumping right into 👟 2021 👟#KStateTF pic.twitter.com/FdKm62RhH3
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) January 9, 2021
The shot-put competition was filled with Wildcats at the top of the leaderboard for both slates due in part to senior Colin Echols and junior Taylor Latimer. Echols launched a throw of 20.48m/67-2.25 in the men's event, which was enough to score another win for the indoor season. Latimer found success on the final throw of her outing, as she nailed a mark of 18.91m/62-.01.50 to claim the women's title in the morning session.
Believe in yourself, believe in your team.#KStateTF pic.twitter.com/bqzBqkUR1r
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) January 9, 2021
Many newcomers competed for the first time in the indoor season at K-State on Saturday, and they were ready to roll as freshmen Jaycee Schroeder and Will Carroll – along with sophomore Devon Richardson – clinched the top spots for their respective events. Schroeder, a product of Dandridge, Tennessee, posted a mark of 14.35m/47-1.00 to claim the top honors in the shot put. Her throw edged out Latimer's mark of 14.33m/47-0.25, who took home a runner-up finish.
Carroll bolted around the Ward Haylett Track at a pace of 2:36.44, which gave him the victory in the 1000 meters. Richardson got an opportunity to show off his skills in the high jump event, and he did not disappoint, as the Lee's Summit, Missouri, native soared above the bar at 2.06m/6-9.00 while ringing in the new year with a win of his own.
Junior Mike Rohlinger recorded a victory in the mile race in convincing fashion with a time of 4:20.16, coming up just five seconds short of his personal best (4:15.34).
K-State owned each of its opponents in dual meet scoring on Saturday, with the closest contest being North Texas at a narrow 55-51 margin.
The Wildcats continue their homestand with the KU-KSU-WSU Triangular next week on Saturday, January 16 inside Ahearn Field House. In last year's meet, K-State pulled away with the victory and will look to repeat against Kansas and Wichita State for the second-straight year.
"Our expectation is to win the meet," said Rovelto. "Every time we line up in the meet, we want to win. If we would enter the meet today – assuming all those people are okay regarding COVID-19 protocols and contract tracing ordeals – I think we will have a really good team on both sides. That is my biggest worry right now. I think we have a good group, but we just got to stay healthy."
Wildcat Invitational
Ahearn Field House
Manhattan, Kan.
Women's High Jump
1. Maddie Righter, 1.65m/5-5.00
3. Regan Dineen, 1.55m/5-1.00
Men's Pole Vault
2. Brian Simon, 4.75m/15-7.00 (P.R.)
3. Chandler Heid, 4.45m/14-7.25
Women's Weight Throw
1. Taylor Latimer, 18.91m/62-.0.50
3. Jasmine Greer, 16.22m/53-2.75 (P.R.)
5. Emily Fuhr, 15.51m/50-10.75
7. Jaycee Schroeder, 15.43m/50-7.50 (P.R.)
10. Krysten Bartlett, 13.00m/42-8.00 (P.R.)
Women's Shot Put
1. Jaycee Schroeder, 14.35m/47-1.00 (P.R.)
2. Taylor Latimer, 14.33m/47-0.25
4. Urte Bacianskaite, 13.92m/45-8.00
5. Jasmine Greer, 12.53m/41-1.50 (P.R.)
8. Krysten Bartlett, 11.06m/36-3.50 (P.R.)
9. Emily Fuhr, 9.72m/31-10.75
Men's High Jump
1. Devon Richardson, 2.06m/6-9.00 (P.R.)
Men's Long Jump
3. Kyle Parr (UNA), 6.43m/21-1.25
Women's Pole Vault
2. Jessica Williams, 3.70m/12-1.50
3. Reagan Hukill, 3.70m/12-1.50
Men's Weight Throw
1. Colin Echols, 20.48m/67-2.25
3. Kade McCall, 16.98m/55-8.50
8. James Higgs, 13.43m/44-0.75
Women's Long Jump
1. Anigbata Chinonyelum, 5.89m/19-4.00
Men's Shot Put
4. Matas Adamonis, 14.43m/47-4.25
5. Jackson Gibbon, 14.30m/46-11.00
7. James Higgs, 13.58m/44-6.75
Women's 60m Hurdles
1. Vitoria Alves, 8.22 (P.R.)
8. Maddie Righter, 9.29
9. Regan Dineen, 9.61
10. Urte Bacianskaite, 9.76
Men's 60m Hurdles
1. Tejaswin Shankar, 8.16 (P.R.)
7. Matas Adamonis, 8.79
Women's 300 Meters
1. Taishia Pryce, 40.19
Men's 300 Meters
1. Kyle Gale, 34.32 (Meet Record)
2. Tim Lambert, 34.74 (P.R.)
Women's 400 Meters
2. Lauren Taubert (UNA), 57.51
Women's 800 Meters
1. Kassidy Johnson, 2:13.44
2. Hannah Stewart, 2:19.81
3. Jessica Caraway, 2:19.88
Women's 1000 Meters
1. Sydney Burton, 2:58.35 (P.R.)
3. Delaney Kemp, 3:04.58 (P.R.)
Men's 1000 Meters
1. Will Carroll, 2:36.44 (P.R.)
2. Christian Buehler, 2:36.92 (P.R.)
3. Ryan Derry, 2:40.09 (P.R.)
Men's 4x400 Relay
1. K-State A, 3:18.54
Women's 4x400 Relay
3. K-State A, 4:05.46
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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