The Kansas State track and field teams competed in the DeLoss Dodds Invitational this weekend at Ahearn Field House, where they took first in 18 events.
Senior Mitch Dixon set a new school record in the men’s weight throw with 21.68 meters, which gave the undefeated Dixon his sixth victory of the season in this event. The previous school record of 21.62 meters was set in 2005 by Coby Cost.
“This week, I just came in with the same mentality that I have every week: to just give it the best I can out there,” Dixon said to K-State Sports. “I always hope for a little more, but I can’t complain with the school record. I am really happy with that.”
The Wildcats won both the men’s and women’s 400- and 800-meter races. Junior Emma Wren won the 800-meter in 2:12.50, followed by freshman Sydney Collins who finished in 2:14.66. Sophomore Akia Guerrier won the 400-meter with a time of 57.29.
The men’s team had three top finishes in the 400- and 800-meter races. Junior Kurt Loevenstein won the 800-meter in 1:55.48, and sophomore Justin Davis won the 400-meter race in 49.70.
In the women’s 60-meter hurdles, four Wildcats placed and three finished with personal bests. Two of the three Wildcats in the women’s high jump tied their personal records or beat them.
On the second day of this meet, junior Shanae McKenzie tied her personal best in the women’s high jump.
Four athletes placed for K-State in the men’s mile. Sophomore Travis Hodge (4:11.86) and freshman Pierce Flanders (4:31.40) set personal bests in this race. Freshman Ethan Powell and senior Sam Oxandale finished in second (4:19.06) and third (4:25.23), respectively.
Senior A’Keyla Mitchell set a meet record in the women’s 200-meter, finishing in 24.17 seconds. Mitchell would set another meet record in the women’s 4×400-meter relay, with her team including Guerrier and sophomores Nina Schultz and Lauren Taubert. The group finished the race in 3:42.68.
“We don’t give up on each other, no matter what we go through,” Mitchell said to K-State Sports. “When it comes down to it, each and every one of these individuals have to score for us to win a team title, and we are a family.”
Senior Terrell Smith also set a meet record in the men’s 200-meter event with a time of 21.02. Junior Nick Albus finished in second with 21.89.
Senior Max Estill placed in three events and set personal bests in both the 60-meter hurdles and the pole vault.
Junior Brett Neelly set a meet record in the men’s shot put with a throw of 18.68 meters. Freshman Kyle Mitchell set his personal best (17.42 meters) and junior Simone Fassina finished with a throw of 13.98 meters.
“There were a lot of good things that we got out of this weekend,” head coach Cliff Rovelto said to K-State Sports. “Some of it has to do with down the road, even. I always have to keep the bigger picture in mind.”
