SE: Weekend Wrap – Gale’s Record-Breaking Run Powers ‘Cats on Track
Feb 08, 2021 | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Tennis, Track & Field, Sports Extra
By: Austin Siegel
An indoor track season is always about introductions, the first chance for freshmen and newcomers to compete for their school in NCAA competition.
At Friday's Arkansas Qualifier, Kyle Gale and Anigbata Grace Chinonyelum got to know some of the top track & field programs in the country. Consider it a lasting impression.
Gale broke a 24-year-old school record in the 400m and Anigbata shattered a meet record in the triple jump, as the Wildcats competed at the site of next month's NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Gale's freshman season began with his first college victory in December. All the Barbadian international has done since is break meet or school records nearly every weekend, in the 300m, 400m and 600-Yard Sprint.
Gale showcased his explosiveness at the Arkansas Qualifier, with a 46.26-second performance in the 400m that nobody in Manhattan has touched since Keith Black set the school mark back in 1997.
"With respect to Kyle, obviously, he is a gifted young guy, but he works harder than most," Rovelto said. "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."
A Nigerian international, Anigbata arrived in Manhattan by way of Cloud County Community College, moving up to third in school history with a 13.71m triple jump (about 45 feet) that shattered the meet record in Fayetteville.
One of the top jumpers in the country, Anigbata's record-breaking leap in the Arkansas Qualifier was the fifth-best in the nation and broke her own PR in the event.
Pack, McGuirl Battle in Loss to No. 13 Texas Tech
As the Wildcats traded baskets with No. 13 Texas Tech late in Saturday afternoon's game, the offense was running through Mike McGuirl and Nijel Pack.
The pair combined for 32 points in a 73-62 loss to the Red Raiders, part of a backcourt that, when both players are healthy, has been a steadying force for K-State.
"I believe we played very hard today," Pack said. "I couldn't ask anything [more] of our tone."
It's a sign of the times for the Wildcats that a true freshman is the guy at the podium after a tough conference loss, but that's in the DNA of this K-State team.
Pack is one of eight first-year scholarship players on the roster and the first shooter the Wildcats look for on almost every possession.
Down the stretch this season, no player has done a better job getting Pack involved and playing off the talented freshman than McGuirl, the only senior on the team.
He posted one of his most complete games of the season against Texas Tech, sharing point guard duties with Pack in a backcourt that's powered the 'Cats all season.
On Saturday, the pair were almost clinically balanced. Pack went for 16 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists while McGuirl finished with 16 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists.
Throughout conference play, Bruce Weber has gotten Pack more involved away from the ball, letting McGuirl start the offense while Pack looks to get free off a screen.
It's a strategy that takes advantage of McGuirl's vision as a passer, a strength after four years of going up against some of the best guards in the conference.
Shaking up the backcourt also helped Pack break the team's freshman record for three-pointers in a game against Texas A&M last week.
When the pair are in rhythm like this, expect more days like Saturday afternoon.
"We just got to be better, got to finish games," Pack said. "I feel like it's taking steps in the right direction."
Without Carr, Wildcats Can't Keep Up with No. 8 Baylor
Even as K-State has struggled to find the win column in conference play, the Wildcats have been able to rely on their defense.
Only No. 8 Baylor and Oklahoma State are holding teams to a lower shooting percentage or coming up with more blocks this season than the Wildcats. K-State is also a top-five unit in steals and three-point defense.
Without an All-Big 12 candidate in Christianna Carr, the Wildcats made life uncomfortable for Baylor, forcing 17 turnovers throughout a 64-52 loss on Sunday afternoon.
"I liked our fight," Jeff Mittie said. "Our defense was really good, flew around well and had good awareness."
K-State held the 10-time defending Big 12 champions to a season-low scoring effort behind impressive efforts by Ayoka Lee and Rachel Ranke on both ends of the floor.
Lee led the way on Sunday with 21 points, as Mittie rolled out all three of his centers against the Bears, relying on Taylor Lauterbach and Ashley Ray against a Baylor team that has been able to get it done at the rim throughout the 2020-21 season.
"I though Lee battled down there. She was body-on-body the entire time and they were running three or four people at her," Mittie said. "Taylor Lauterbach and Ashley Ray gave us solid minutes down there. Everybody on the stat sheet, maybe didn't have what looks to be a good game, but they found ways to contribute one way or another."
Without Carr's shooting to help space the floor, K-State relied on Ranke, who's recent surge has helped steady the team on offense.
With 12 points against the Bears, Ranke has now posted her two highest-scoring performances of the season in K-State's last three games.
"I thought she got into a good rhythm shooting the ball, her effort was really good, she's got four assists and only one turnover," Mittie said. ""Rachel Ranke had a terrific overall game."
Linares Picks Up First Win of 2021, Wildcats Fall to No. 24 Arizona State
K-State Tennis climbed a mountain before taking on No. 24 Arizona State this weekend, hiking up one of the hills around Tempe for a team photo.
Ask Jordan Smith, and the Wildcats are continuing their climb on the court this season.
"We came out a lot better in singles today," Smith said. "Especially after losing a one-sided doubles point. We are getting closer to putting all the pieces together. We are not going to reach our peak until we have a complete team effort."
The Wildcats fell 4-1 to Arizona State, with Maria Linares picking up her first win of the spring season over Sammi Hampton of the Sun Devils, No. 115 in the ITA National Singles poll.
"Credit to Maria today," Smith said. "She managed herself way better today than last week. She got back to playing her style and not reacting to her opponent's tennis. Plus, she got a ranked-singles win today so that should help boost her confidence moving forward."
The Wildcats return to Manhattan this weekend, looking to pick up their first team win of 2021 in a pair of matches against Drake and Denver.
An indoor track season is always about introductions, the first chance for freshmen and newcomers to compete for their school in NCAA competition.
At Friday's Arkansas Qualifier, Kyle Gale and Anigbata Grace Chinonyelum got to know some of the top track & field programs in the country. Consider it a lasting impression.
Gale broke a 24-year-old school record in the 400m and Anigbata shattered a meet record in the triple jump, as the Wildcats competed at the site of next month's NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Gale's freshman season began with his first college victory in December. All the Barbadian international has done since is break meet or school records nearly every weekend, in the 300m, 400m and 600-Yard Sprint.
Taking the competition on with full force.#KStateTF pic.twitter.com/FmC4RBbdga
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) February 5, 2021
Gale showcased his explosiveness at the Arkansas Qualifier, with a 46.26-second performance in the 400m that nobody in Manhattan has touched since Keith Black set the school mark back in 1997.
"With respect to Kyle, obviously, he is a gifted young guy, but he works harder than most," Rovelto said. "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."
A Nigerian international, Anigbata arrived in Manhattan by way of Cloud County Community College, moving up to third in school history with a 13.71m triple jump (about 45 feet) that shattered the meet record in Fayetteville.
One of the top jumpers in the country, Anigbata's record-breaking leap in the Arkansas Qualifier was the fifth-best in the nation and broke her own PR in the event.
Pack, McGuirl Battle in Loss to No. 13 Texas Tech
As the Wildcats traded baskets with No. 13 Texas Tech late in Saturday afternoon's game, the offense was running through Mike McGuirl and Nijel Pack.
The pair combined for 32 points in a 73-62 loss to the Red Raiders, part of a backcourt that, when both players are healthy, has been a steadying force for K-State.
"I believe we played very hard today," Pack said. "I couldn't ask anything [more] of our tone."
It's a sign of the times for the Wildcats that a true freshman is the guy at the podium after a tough conference loss, but that's in the DNA of this K-State team.
Pack is one of eight first-year scholarship players on the roster and the first shooter the Wildcats look for on almost every possession.
Down the stretch this season, no player has done a better job getting Pack involved and playing off the talented freshman than McGuirl, the only senior on the team.
Triple threat
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) February 6, 2021
🎯 Mike McGuirl #KStateMBB x EMAW pic.twitter.com/66zRLQ9jX3
He posted one of his most complete games of the season against Texas Tech, sharing point guard duties with Pack in a backcourt that's powered the 'Cats all season.
On Saturday, the pair were almost clinically balanced. Pack went for 16 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists while McGuirl finished with 16 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists.
Throughout conference play, Bruce Weber has gotten Pack more involved away from the ball, letting McGuirl start the offense while Pack looks to get free off a screen.
It's a strategy that takes advantage of McGuirl's vision as a passer, a strength after four years of going up against some of the best guards in the conference.
Shaking up the backcourt also helped Pack break the team's freshman record for three-pointers in a game against Texas A&M last week.
When the pair are in rhythm like this, expect more days like Saturday afternoon.
"We just got to be better, got to finish games," Pack said. "I feel like it's taking steps in the right direction."
Without Carr, Wildcats Can't Keep Up with No. 8 Baylor
Even as K-State has struggled to find the win column in conference play, the Wildcats have been able to rely on their defense.
Only No. 8 Baylor and Oklahoma State are holding teams to a lower shooting percentage or coming up with more blocks this season than the Wildcats. K-State is also a top-five unit in steals and three-point defense.
Without an All-Big 12 candidate in Christianna Carr, the Wildcats made life uncomfortable for Baylor, forcing 17 turnovers throughout a 64-52 loss on Sunday afternoon.
"I liked our fight," Jeff Mittie said. "Our defense was really good, flew around well and had good awareness."
K-State held the 10-time defending Big 12 champions to a season-low scoring effort behind impressive efforts by Ayoka Lee and Rachel Ranke on both ends of the floor.
Lee led the way on Sunday with 21 points, as Mittie rolled out all three of his centers against the Bears, relying on Taylor Lauterbach and Ashley Ray against a Baylor team that has been able to get it done at the rim throughout the 2020-21 season.
Doing work inside!
— K-State Women's Basketball (@KStateWBB) February 7, 2021
Lee is up to a game-high 19 points on the afternoon. #KStateWBB pic.twitter.com/qJemq4RaXw
"I though Lee battled down there. She was body-on-body the entire time and they were running three or four people at her," Mittie said. "Taylor Lauterbach and Ashley Ray gave us solid minutes down there. Everybody on the stat sheet, maybe didn't have what looks to be a good game, but they found ways to contribute one way or another."
Without Carr's shooting to help space the floor, K-State relied on Ranke, who's recent surge has helped steady the team on offense.
With 12 points against the Bears, Ranke has now posted her two highest-scoring performances of the season in K-State's last three games.
"I thought she got into a good rhythm shooting the ball, her effort was really good, she's got four assists and only one turnover," Mittie said. ""Rachel Ranke had a terrific overall game."
Linares Picks Up First Win of 2021, Wildcats Fall to No. 24 Arizona State
K-State Tennis climbed a mountain before taking on No. 24 Arizona State this weekend, hiking up one of the hills around Tempe for a team photo.
⛰☀️ 🄲🄰🅃🅂 🄾🄽 🅃🄾🄿 ☀️⛰
— K-State Tennis (@KStateTEN) February 6, 2021
.#KStateTEN pic.twitter.com/Yo86ly7qzi
Ask Jordan Smith, and the Wildcats are continuing their climb on the court this season.
"We came out a lot better in singles today," Smith said. "Especially after losing a one-sided doubles point. We are getting closer to putting all the pieces together. We are not going to reach our peak until we have a complete team effort."
The Wildcats fell 4-1 to Arizona State, with Maria Linares picking up her first win of the spring season over Sammi Hampton of the Sun Devils, No. 115 in the ITA National Singles poll.
Staying at it.#KStateTEN pic.twitter.com/GYsCporiFX
— K-State Tennis (@KStateTEN) February 7, 2021
"Credit to Maria today," Smith said. "She managed herself way better today than last week. She got back to playing her style and not reacting to her opponent's tennis. Plus, she got a ranked-singles win today so that should help boost her confidence moving forward."
The Wildcats return to Manhattan this weekend, looking to pick up their first team win of 2021 in a pair of matches against Drake and Denver.
Players Mentioned
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