Kansas State University Athletics
Friday, February 5
Fayetteville, AR
12:00 PM
Kansas State University
at
Arkansas Qualifier
Gale Gashes School Record, K-State Completes Arkansas Qualifier with Dominating Outings Across the Board
Feb 05, 2021 | Track & Field
FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas – An explosive outing from freshman Kyle Gale in the 400 meters resulted in a new school record, which highlighted an impressive day from the Kansas State track and field teams at the Arkansas Qualifier on Friday (February 5) afternoon inside the Randal Tyson Track Center.
"I thought the team did a very good job of competing," said Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto. "We had a number of quality performances but just as impressive to me was the fact they competed. We had a lot of our best marks in the finals and in the sixth round of field events. That speaks well of them as competitors."
Overall, the K-State women managed 84 points to finish second in the 10-team standings behind only top-ranked Arkansas, which scored 167 points. The 21st-ranked men's team collected 49 points to tie Kansas for a third-place finish behind No. 2 Arkansas (83) and Missouri (76) in the eight-team standings.
It seems every week the record book is at the mercy of Gale, and today was no different. With a time of 46.26 seconds in the 400-meter race, Gale paced himself to a new school record for the event, which previously stood for 24 years by former Wildcat Keith Black at a time of 46.44.
"I honestly thought I went out there and executed like I should have," said Gale. "My game plan was to get out of the first 200 meters and then use my strength to finish the last 200 of the race. I am very thankful for my execution today."
Rovelto had a similar take on Gale's record-breaking performance.
"With respect to Kyle, obviously, he is a gifted young guy, but he works harder than most," stated Rovelto. "He does everything that is asked of him. He is also a team guy. When your best athletes are your hardest workers, you have something special."
Gale's victory only unlocked the door for other Wildcats to perform at their peak condition inside the Randal Tyson Track Center. Combining both field and track events, six other Wildcats joined Gale with historical outings on Friday afternoon.
Junior triple jumper Anigbata Grace Chinonyelum will forever be remembered down in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as she broke the Arkansas Qualifier meet record in the triple jump event with a mark of 13.71m/44-8.00. Her jump bumped her up the all-time list in school history to third overall for the indoor season.
On a national scale, Chinonyelum now ranks fifth in the NCAA with her leap.
In the men's and women's 3000 meters, junior Cooper Schroeder and sophomore Jaybe Shufelberger delivered impressive performances to help them make noise on the track. Schroeder shook off the rust in his first race of 2021 to finish fifth overall on the men's side, while registering the fifth-best outing in the event for school history. Shufelberger took charge and outlasted her competition en route to 3000-meter victory. Her time of 9:43.18 ended up placing her at No. 10 all-time for the indoor season in K-State history.
The senior tandem of Wurrie Njadoe and Taishia Pryce showcased their All-American talents in the 200-meter race on Friday afternoon, as Njadoe (7th, 24.02) and Pryce (9th, 24.23) corralled top-10 outings for the event. Both athletes jumped the record books in K-State history with their times, with Njadoe climbing to No. 4 all-time and Pryce staking her spot at No. 6 all-time for the indoor season.
K-State continued to pile on wins throughout Friday's competition, as Pryce returned to form in her trademark event in the long jump to capture the top spot at a mark of 6.37m/20-10.75. Her jump boosted her to the No. 9 ranking in the NCAA this season for the long jump competition.
The Wildcats combined for three wins in the throw events, including seniors Colin Echols (20.23m/66-4.50) and Shaelyn Ward (20.01m/65-7.75) in the weight throw and junior Taylor Latimer (15.70m/51-6.25) in the shot put.
K-State will continue its road trip next week and travel down to Lubbock, Texas for the Texas Tech Shootout on Friday, February 12 through Saturday, February 13.
Arkansas Qualifier
Randal Tyson Track Center
Fayetteville, Ark.
Women's Shot Put
1. Taylor Latimer, 15.70m/51-6.25
2. Jaycee Schroeder, 13.27m/43-6.50
Women's Weight Throw
1. Shaelyn Ward, 20.01m/65-7.75
2. Taylor Latimer, 18.99m/62-3.75
6. Jasmine Greer, 17.44m/57-2.75 (P.R.)
7. Jaycee Schroeder, 16.41m/53-10.25
Men's Weight Throw
1. Colin Echols, 20.23m/66-4.50
8. Kade McCall, 16.00m/52-6.00
Men's Pole Vault
9. Brian Simon, 4.61m/15-1.50
10. Chandler Heid, 4.46m/14-7.50
Women's Pole Vault
15. Reagan Hukill, 3.70m/12-1.50
Women's Long Jump
1. Taishia Pryce, 6.37m/20-10.75
3. Chantoba Bright, 5.96m/19-6.75 (P.R.)
4. Wurrie Njadoe, 5.94m/19-6.00
Men's Triple Jump
6. Devon Richardson, 15.38m/50-5.50 (P.R.)
Women's Triple Jump
1. Anigbata Chinonyelum, 13.61m/44-8.00 (Meet Record)
3. Rhianna Phipps, 13.11m/43-0.25 (P.R.)
Women's Mile Run
10. Hannah Stewart, 4:56.00 (P.R.)
Men's Mile Run
3. Hadley Splechter, 4:09.38
6. Mike Rohlinger, 4:11.69 (P.R.)
10. Stephen Kielhofner, 4:14.99 (P.R.)
Women's 60-Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
2. Vitoria Alves, 8.24
Women's 60-Meter Hurdles (Finals)
4. Vitoria Alves, 8.28
Men's 60-Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
11. Donovan Turner, 8.18
Men's 60 Meters (Prelims)
3. Darian Clarke, 6.94
Men's 60 Meters (Finals)
4. Darian Clarke, 6.94 (P.R.)
Men's 400 Meters
1. Kyle Gale, 46.26 (School Record)
Women's 800 Meters
1. Alex Ferguson, 2:09.97
5. Kassidy Johnson, 2:10.55
12. Sydney Burton, 2:14.21
15. Jessica Caraway, 2:15.41 (P.R.)
Women's 200 Meters
7. Wurrie Njadoe, 24.02 (P.R.)
9. Taishia Pryce, 24.23
Men's 200 Meters
8. Darian Clarke, 22.14 (P.R.)
Women's 3000 Meters
1. Jaybe Shufelberger, 9:43.18 (P.R.)
9. Cara Melgares, 10:08.33
Men's 3000 Meters
5. Cooper Schroeder, 8:13.15 (P.R.)
8. David Lutgen, 8:22.27 (P.R.)
9. Kerby Depenbusch, 8:25.71 (P.R.)
12. Jack Thomas, 8:47.25
For the latest on K-State track and field follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
"I thought the team did a very good job of competing," said Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto. "We had a number of quality performances but just as impressive to me was the fact they competed. We had a lot of our best marks in the finals and in the sixth round of field events. That speaks well of them as competitors."
Overall, the K-State women managed 84 points to finish second in the 10-team standings behind only top-ranked Arkansas, which scored 167 points. The 21st-ranked men's team collected 49 points to tie Kansas for a third-place finish behind No. 2 Arkansas (83) and Missouri (76) in the eight-team standings.
It seems every week the record book is at the mercy of Gale, and today was no different. With a time of 46.26 seconds in the 400-meter race, Gale paced himself to a new school record for the event, which previously stood for 24 years by former Wildcat Keith Black at a time of 46.44.
Securing his place with the all-time greats🥇
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) February 5, 2021
Kyle Gale took home a school record today at the Arkansas Qualifier, as the freshman sprinter completed the 400 meters in 46.26 seconds, which breaks the previous mark set 2⃣4⃣ years ago!#KStateTF x @kyleswagerific pic.twitter.com/OLhmTqjWuz
"I honestly thought I went out there and executed like I should have," said Gale. "My game plan was to get out of the first 200 meters and then use my strength to finish the last 200 of the race. I am very thankful for my execution today."
Rovelto had a similar take on Gale's record-breaking performance.
"With respect to Kyle, obviously, he is a gifted young guy, but he works harder than most," stated Rovelto. "He does everything that is asked of him. He is also a team guy. When your best athletes are your hardest workers, you have something special."
Gale's victory only unlocked the door for other Wildcats to perform at their peak condition inside the Randal Tyson Track Center. Combining both field and track events, six other Wildcats joined Gale with historical outings on Friday afternoon.
Junior triple jumper Anigbata Grace Chinonyelum will forever be remembered down in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as she broke the Arkansas Qualifier meet record in the triple jump event with a mark of 13.71m/44-8.00. Her jump bumped her up the all-time list in school history to third overall for the indoor season.
On a national scale, Chinonyelum now ranks fifth in the NCAA with her leap.
Just behind Chinonyelum in the triple jump was freshman Rhianna Phipps, who recorded a mark of 13.11m/43-0.25. Phipps' performance moved her up the all-time list in school history for triple jump athletes to the No. 5 spot.Historic outing by Grace!#KStateTF's Anigbata Grace Chinonyelum just bolstered herself to No. 3 ALL-TIME in school history in the triple jump event, as the junior leaped in the sand at 13.61m/44-8.00! Her performance broke the Arkansas Qualifier meet record (13.17m)!! pic.twitter.com/C74xCsj4E5
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) February 5, 2021
In the men's and women's 3000 meters, junior Cooper Schroeder and sophomore Jaybe Shufelberger delivered impressive performances to help them make noise on the track. Schroeder shook off the rust in his first race of 2021 to finish fifth overall on the men's side, while registering the fifth-best outing in the event for school history. Shufelberger took charge and outlasted her competition en route to 3000-meter victory. Her time of 9:43.18 ended up placing her at No. 10 all-time for the indoor season in K-State history.
The senior tandem of Wurrie Njadoe and Taishia Pryce showcased their All-American talents in the 200-meter race on Friday afternoon, as Njadoe (7th, 24.02) and Pryce (9th, 24.23) corralled top-10 outings for the event. Both athletes jumped the record books in K-State history with their times, with Njadoe climbing to No. 4 all-time and Pryce staking her spot at No. 6 all-time for the indoor season.
K-State continued to pile on wins throughout Friday's competition, as Pryce returned to form in her trademark event in the long jump to capture the top spot at a mark of 6.37m/20-10.75. Her jump boosted her to the No. 9 ranking in the NCAA this season for the long jump competition.
The Wildcats combined for three wins in the throw events, including seniors Colin Echols (20.23m/66-4.50) and Shaelyn Ward (20.01m/65-7.75) in the weight throw and junior Taylor Latimer (15.70m/51-6.25) in the shot put.
K-State's final win came from junior Alex Ferguson in the 800 meters, as she posted a time of 2:09.97 to clinch the victory on the track.Taking the competition on with full force.#KStateTF pic.twitter.com/FmC4RBbdga
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) February 5, 2021
K-State will continue its road trip next week and travel down to Lubbock, Texas for the Texas Tech Shootout on Friday, February 12 through Saturday, February 13.
Arkansas Qualifier
Randal Tyson Track Center
Fayetteville, Ark.
Women's Shot Put
1. Taylor Latimer, 15.70m/51-6.25
2. Jaycee Schroeder, 13.27m/43-6.50
Women's Weight Throw
1. Shaelyn Ward, 20.01m/65-7.75
2. Taylor Latimer, 18.99m/62-3.75
6. Jasmine Greer, 17.44m/57-2.75 (P.R.)
7. Jaycee Schroeder, 16.41m/53-10.25
Men's Weight Throw
1. Colin Echols, 20.23m/66-4.50
8. Kade McCall, 16.00m/52-6.00
Men's Pole Vault
9. Brian Simon, 4.61m/15-1.50
10. Chandler Heid, 4.46m/14-7.50
Women's Pole Vault
15. Reagan Hukill, 3.70m/12-1.50
Women's Long Jump
1. Taishia Pryce, 6.37m/20-10.75
3. Chantoba Bright, 5.96m/19-6.75 (P.R.)
4. Wurrie Njadoe, 5.94m/19-6.00
Men's Triple Jump
6. Devon Richardson, 15.38m/50-5.50 (P.R.)
Women's Triple Jump
1. Anigbata Chinonyelum, 13.61m/44-8.00 (Meet Record)
3. Rhianna Phipps, 13.11m/43-0.25 (P.R.)
Women's Mile Run
10. Hannah Stewart, 4:56.00 (P.R.)
Men's Mile Run
3. Hadley Splechter, 4:09.38
6. Mike Rohlinger, 4:11.69 (P.R.)
10. Stephen Kielhofner, 4:14.99 (P.R.)
Women's 60-Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
2. Vitoria Alves, 8.24
Women's 60-Meter Hurdles (Finals)
4. Vitoria Alves, 8.28
Men's 60-Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
11. Donovan Turner, 8.18
Men's 60 Meters (Prelims)
3. Darian Clarke, 6.94
Men's 60 Meters (Finals)
4. Darian Clarke, 6.94 (P.R.)
Men's 400 Meters
1. Kyle Gale, 46.26 (School Record)
Women's 800 Meters
1. Alex Ferguson, 2:09.97
5. Kassidy Johnson, 2:10.55
12. Sydney Burton, 2:14.21
15. Jessica Caraway, 2:15.41 (P.R.)
Women's 200 Meters
7. Wurrie Njadoe, 24.02 (P.R.)
9. Taishia Pryce, 24.23
Men's 200 Meters
8. Darian Clarke, 22.14 (P.R.)
Women's 3000 Meters
1. Jaybe Shufelberger, 9:43.18 (P.R.)
9. Cara Melgares, 10:08.33
Men's 3000 Meters
5. Cooper Schroeder, 8:13.15 (P.R.)
8. David Lutgen, 8:22.27 (P.R.)
9. Kerby Depenbusch, 8:25.71 (P.R.)
12. Jack Thomas, 8:47.25
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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