Marx Breaks Javelin School Record to Start Stanford Invitational

Marx Breaks Javelin School Record to Start Stanford Invitational

Apr 03, 2026 | Track & Field

In the outdoor season opener multiple Wildcats had top marks in invite events

STANFORD, Calif. – Junior Riley Marx broke the men's javelin school record on Friday (April 3) in the first day of the K-State track and field teams' outdoor season in the Stanford Invitational at Angell Track & Cobb Field.

During the invite event in his fourth attempt, Marx launched the javelin 74.24m (243' 7"), a personal best by five feet. He surpasses the previous record set by Logan Wolfley in 2021 at 73.08m (239' 9).

"The highlight of the day was obviously Riley Marx and the school record," head coach Travis Geopfert said. "Super happy for him and coach [John] Newell, you know, he's been putting in work this whole indoor season, and I'm just really proud of the way he executed. He had to just work through it a little bit and keep building, and then, you know, he hit that big throw, and then wisely, shut it down."

Senior Vanessa Mercera competed in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 57.38 seconds, the no. 6 time in the K-State all-time top-10.

In the men's 100-meter dash, junior Tah Chikomba won the preliminary race in 10.41 seconds, currently the no. 8 fastest time in the K-State records. Also qualifying for the final race was freshman Croix DaCunha in 3^rd place in 10.57 seconds and sophomore Uroy Ryan in 10.59 seconds in 4^th place.

"I was really happy with all those long jumpers and how they executed the 100-meter dash," Geopfert added. "They just did really smooth. And I think coming out of the prelims with three of the top four times and for long jumpers stepping in there and running hundreds of the first time, for all of them in a while."

In the women's long jump invite event, freshman Chisom Nwafor finished runner-up with a jump of 6.17m (20' 3") from short approach. Other top-3 performances in the field events came from the men's discus throw invite event. Junior Ricardo Hayles started the season with a runner-up throw of 55.01m (180' 5") while senior Gary Moore Jr. finished just a foot shorter in 3^rd place at 54.72m (179' 6").

Two freshmen had a quick start to the season in the 200-meter dash, Jack Guthridge wore a K-State jersey for the first time clocking 21.38 seconds in 8^th place. Desirae Riehle finished the women's race in 24.20 seconds to finish 9^th.

On Saturday (April 4), the women's hammer collegiate event will begin at 11:45 a.m. CT, before the women's 4x100 relay starts at 3:10 p.m. CT.

FROM THE TRACK
Head Coach Travis Geopfert
On the overall team performance to start the outdoor season…
"Really happy with all the 400 hurdlers, you know, the first time around the track of the 400 hurdles. That was a great start to the day and just lot of great efforts all the events. And, you know, for a first meet, I think things were executed really well. So, we're looking forward to getting those relays rocking tomorrow."

Stanford Invitational
Angell Track & Cobb Field
Stanford, Calif.

Women's 100 Meter Dash (Preliminary)
22. Chisom Nwafor, 12.23 (1.1)
25. Maud Zeffou-Poaty, 12.27 (1.1)

Men's 100 Meter Dash (Preliminary)
1. Tah Chikomba, 10.41 (1.5) Q
3. Croix DaCunha, 10.57 (1.4) Q
4. Uroy Ryan, 10.59 (0.0) Q (PR)
15. Quenton Rice, 10.80 (1.5)
21. James Ezeonu, 10.83 (2.2) (PR)

Men's High Jump (High Pit)
2. Alan Hanna, 2.02m (6' 7.5")

Men's 1,500 Meters (Section 5)
11. Julian Avila, 3:51.65 (PR)

Women's Long Jump (Invite)
2. Chisom Nwafor, 6.17m (20' 3")
3. Aaliyah Lindsay, 6.09m (19' 11.75")
5. Tesia Thomas, 6.05m (19' 10.25")

Men's Javelin Throw (Invite)
1. Riley Marx, 74.24m (243' 7") (PR)^

Women's 400 Meter Hurdles
2. Vanessa Mercera, 57.38 (PR)
8. Jourdin Edwards, 59.38
9. Reese Brownlee, 59.51
12. Delaney Wright, 1:00.49 (PR)
14. Reese Kasper, 1:00.82

Men's 400 Meter Hurdles
10. Cyrus Ways, 53.47
11. Thomas Canivet, 53.75

Women's 200 Meters
9. Desirae Riehle, 24.20 (1.7)
19. Delaney Brinker, 24.57 (1.9)
20. Anastasiia Kretova, 24.58 (1.9)
24. Ariana Jackson, 24.67 (0.8)
30. Maud Zeffou-Poaty, 24.99 (1.9)

Men's 200 Meters
8. Jack Guthridge, 21.38 (1.1)
13. Nen Matlock, 21. 53 (0.2) (PR)
19. Quenton Rice, 21.68 (0.5)
Bongumusa Nkosi, DNF

Men's Discus Throw (Invite)
2. Ricardo Hayles, 55.01m (180' 5")
3. Gary Moore Jr., 54.72m (179' 6")

Women's High Jump (High Pit)
6. Shanniqua Williams, 1.65m (5' 5")

Women's High Jump (Low Pit)
2. Lindsey DeWitt, 1.65m (5' 5")

Women's 3,000m Steeplechase (Sect. 2)
13. Cecilia Fisher, 10:44.12

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