Kansas State University Athletics
K-State Women’s Relay Conclude Weekend with Speedy Race
Feb 01, 2025 | Track & Field
Weekend concludes with multiple record finishes and spectacular competition
The K-State track and field teams wrapped up the third home meet of the indoor season on Saturday (Feb. 1) with the DeLoss Dodds Invitational at the Cliff Rovelto Indoor Track featuring Baylor, Northern Iowa, Oklahoma State, San Diego State and South Dakota.
The Wildcats women's 4x400 relay, with juniors Jourdin Edwards and Safhia Hinds, freshman Ariana Jackson and junior Delaney Wright, ended the night with a bang with a winning time of 3:39.08, the fastest K-State women's relay in seven years in the no. 5 spot in the all-time top-10.
Also breaking records, redshirt freshman Tavon Underwood claimed the school, meet and facility record in the men's 600 yards in 1:07.88, a record time that would tie him for 7th in the NCAA collegiate all-time via USTFCCCA.
"Tavon Underwood competing unattached, school record in the 600 yards, a mark that would be number seven all time in NCAA history, like just 1:07.88 in a 600 yards is fast. And when you look at the names that he's ahead of on the all-time NCAA list, it's just phenomenal."
Freshman Tommaso Franze finished competition in the men's heptathlon with a 3rd place finish and 5,127 points against nine competitors. Day two performances were highlighted by a runner-up finish in the 1,000 meters with a time of 2:47.25 and tying for 3rd place in the pole vault, clearing a height of 4.50m (14' 9").
The highest finish in the field events came from the women's shot put, senior Jaycee Schroeder with a runner-up throw at 15.91m (52' 2 ½"). Fellow seniors Daisy Monie (4th; 15.38m, 50' 5 ½") and Grace Thompson (5th; 14.85m, 48' 8 ¾") also finished in the top-five.
Prior to the relay, Wright ran her fastest 400 meters ever indoors at 56.41 seconds in 9th place. In the middle distance, freshman Bree Newport finished 3rd in the women's 800 meters in 2:12.42, a four second improvement.
Three Wildcats also recorded their new fastest mile times, including sophomore Paige Baker (7th; 5:05.13) in the women's event and freshmen Brock Olsen (11th; 4:21.46) and Silas Miller (13th; 4:28.61), faster by 16 seconds, in the men's run.
K-State is back for the last home meet, the Steve Miller Invitational, on Friday, Feb. 7, featuring a condensed elite schedule from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
FROM THE TRACK
Head Coach Travis Geopfert
On the team's efforts throughout the weekend…
"We had some awesome stuff, I think we had four or five performances that were all-time, top-time in K-State history. I know we finished with an exciting 4x4 [relay] in the win it was top five all-time. Shalom [Olotu] in the long jump, I think was number four all-time in K-State history. I know that Gary Moore in the weight throw was number two all-time, barely missing the school record. Just phenomenal stuff across the board."
On the high level of competition throughout the weekend…
"What I think is the most exciting thing about this track meet, we proved that the Cliff Rovelto Track is fast, a world class facility. You look at world number one mark in the pole vault, we had Olympic gold medalist [Katie Moon] here, jump 15'9", 4.80 meters in the pole vault, and a great crowd behind it, watching it Friday night. And then world number two in the women's long jump, [Baylor's Alexis Brown] which was phenomenal, a world number one in the men's 400 today [Baylor's Nathaniel Ezekiel]. And when you look at that women's pentathlon, it currently has eight of the top 13 marks in the NCAA, it was right here on our K-State track. And Jadin O'Brien from Notre Dame is a two time NCAA champion, had her personal best ever yesterday, world number one mark in the pentathlon…. I think this is something really exciting to build on for the future."
DeLoss Dodds Invitational
Cliff Rovelto Indoor Track
Manhattan, Kan.
Men's Heptathlon Day Two: Tommaso Franze
3. Overall, 5,127 points
8. 60 Meter Hurdles, 8.72
T3. Pole Vault, 4.50m (14' 9")
2. 1,000 Meters, 2:47.25
Men's 60 Meter Hurdles Prelims
4. James Ezeonu, 8.15
Women's 60 Meter Hurdles Prelims
4. Jourdin Edwards, 8.65
Men's 60 Meter Dash Prelims
11. Isaac Ativie, 6.98
12. Bryce Collins, 7.13
Women's Shot Put
2. Jaycee Schroeder, 15.91m (52' 2 ½")
4. Daisy Monie, 15.38m (50' 5 ½")
5. Grace Thompson, 14.85m (48' 8 ¾")
Women's 400 Meters
9. Delaney Wright, 56.41 (PR)
13. Mikah Scott, 59.75
Men's 60 Meter Hurdles Final
James Ezeonu, FS
Women's 60 Meter Hurdles Final
5. Jourdin Edwards, 8.62
Men's Mile
8. Peyton Willbanks, 4:17.28
11. Brock Olsen, 4:21.46 (PR)
12. Lucas Holdren, 4:25.69
13. Silas Miller, 4:28.61 (PR)
Women's Mile
7. Paige Baker, 5:05.13 (PR)
9. Kate Kowalik, 5:49.97
Men's Shot Put
8. Nate Collier, 16.06m (52' 8 ¼")
Men's 800 Meters
3. Jack Steger, 1:52.98
6. Devin Chappel, 1:55.42
Women's 800 Meters
3. Bree Newport, 2:12.42 (PR)
Men's Pole Vault
9. Lance Owen, 4.58m (15' 0 ¼")
Pierson Carlisle, NH
Men's 4x400 Relay
3. K-State, 3:16.37
(Nen Matlock , Tyrique Lewis, James Ezeonu, Jack Steger)
Women's 4x400 Relay
1. K-State, 3:39.08
(Jourdin Edwards, Safhia Hinds, Ariana Jackson, Delaney Wright)
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
The Wildcats women's 4x400 relay, with juniors Jourdin Edwards and Safhia Hinds, freshman Ariana Jackson and junior Delaney Wright, ended the night with a bang with a winning time of 3:39.08, the fastest K-State women's relay in seven years in the no. 5 spot in the all-time top-10.
Also breaking records, redshirt freshman Tavon Underwood claimed the school, meet and facility record in the men's 600 yards in 1:07.88, a record time that would tie him for 7th in the NCAA collegiate all-time via USTFCCCA.
"Tavon Underwood competing unattached, school record in the 600 yards, a mark that would be number seven all time in NCAA history, like just 1:07.88 in a 600 yards is fast. And when you look at the names that he's ahead of on the all-time NCAA list, it's just phenomenal."
Freshman Tommaso Franze finished competition in the men's heptathlon with a 3rd place finish and 5,127 points against nine competitors. Day two performances were highlighted by a runner-up finish in the 1,000 meters with a time of 2:47.25 and tying for 3rd place in the pole vault, clearing a height of 4.50m (14' 9").
The highest finish in the field events came from the women's shot put, senior Jaycee Schroeder with a runner-up throw at 15.91m (52' 2 ½"). Fellow seniors Daisy Monie (4th; 15.38m, 50' 5 ½") and Grace Thompson (5th; 14.85m, 48' 8 ¾") also finished in the top-five.
Prior to the relay, Wright ran her fastest 400 meters ever indoors at 56.41 seconds in 9th place. In the middle distance, freshman Bree Newport finished 3rd in the women's 800 meters in 2:12.42, a four second improvement.
Three Wildcats also recorded their new fastest mile times, including sophomore Paige Baker (7th; 5:05.13) in the women's event and freshmen Brock Olsen (11th; 4:21.46) and Silas Miller (13th; 4:28.61), faster by 16 seconds, in the men's run.
K-State is back for the last home meet, the Steve Miller Invitational, on Friday, Feb. 7, featuring a condensed elite schedule from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
FROM THE TRACK
Head Coach Travis Geopfert
On the team's efforts throughout the weekend…
"We had some awesome stuff, I think we had four or five performances that were all-time, top-time in K-State history. I know we finished with an exciting 4x4 [relay] in the win it was top five all-time. Shalom [Olotu] in the long jump, I think was number four all-time in K-State history. I know that Gary Moore in the weight throw was number two all-time, barely missing the school record. Just phenomenal stuff across the board."
On the high level of competition throughout the weekend…
"What I think is the most exciting thing about this track meet, we proved that the Cliff Rovelto Track is fast, a world class facility. You look at world number one mark in the pole vault, we had Olympic gold medalist [Katie Moon] here, jump 15'9", 4.80 meters in the pole vault, and a great crowd behind it, watching it Friday night. And then world number two in the women's long jump, [Baylor's Alexis Brown] which was phenomenal, a world number one in the men's 400 today [Baylor's Nathaniel Ezekiel]. And when you look at that women's pentathlon, it currently has eight of the top 13 marks in the NCAA, it was right here on our K-State track. And Jadin O'Brien from Notre Dame is a two time NCAA champion, had her personal best ever yesterday, world number one mark in the pentathlon…. I think this is something really exciting to build on for the future."
DeLoss Dodds Invitational
Cliff Rovelto Indoor Track
Manhattan, Kan.
Men's Heptathlon Day Two: Tommaso Franze
3. Overall, 5,127 points
8. 60 Meter Hurdles, 8.72
T3. Pole Vault, 4.50m (14' 9")
2. 1,000 Meters, 2:47.25
Men's 60 Meter Hurdles Prelims
4. James Ezeonu, 8.15
Women's 60 Meter Hurdles Prelims
4. Jourdin Edwards, 8.65
Men's 60 Meter Dash Prelims
11. Isaac Ativie, 6.98
12. Bryce Collins, 7.13
Women's Shot Put
2. Jaycee Schroeder, 15.91m (52' 2 ½")
4. Daisy Monie, 15.38m (50' 5 ½")
5. Grace Thompson, 14.85m (48' 8 ¾")
Women's 400 Meters
9. Delaney Wright, 56.41 (PR)
13. Mikah Scott, 59.75
Men's 60 Meter Hurdles Final
James Ezeonu, FS
Women's 60 Meter Hurdles Final
5. Jourdin Edwards, 8.62
Men's Mile
8. Peyton Willbanks, 4:17.28
11. Brock Olsen, 4:21.46 (PR)
12. Lucas Holdren, 4:25.69
13. Silas Miller, 4:28.61 (PR)
Women's Mile
7. Paige Baker, 5:05.13 (PR)
9. Kate Kowalik, 5:49.97
Men's Shot Put
8. Nate Collier, 16.06m (52' 8 ¼")
Men's 800 Meters
3. Jack Steger, 1:52.98
6. Devin Chappel, 1:55.42
Women's 800 Meters
3. Bree Newport, 2:12.42 (PR)
Men's Pole Vault
9. Lance Owen, 4.58m (15' 0 ¼")
Pierson Carlisle, NH
Men's 4x400 Relay
3. K-State, 3:16.37
(Nen Matlock , Tyrique Lewis, James Ezeonu, Jack Steger)
Women's 4x400 Relay
1. K-State, 3:39.08
(Jourdin Edwards, Safhia Hinds, Ariana Jackson, Delaney Wright)
-- k-statesports.com --
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
K-State T&F | Gear Reveal
Saturday, August 30
K-State TF | NCAA Championship Recap
Tuesday, June 17
K-State Track and Field | Coach Geopfert Post Meet Comments - NCAA Championships / Women's Finals
Monday, June 16
K-State Track and Field | Coach Geopfert Post Meet Comments - NCAA Championships / Men's Finals
Saturday, June 14