Track & Field Delivers Eight Event Wins in Texas

SAN MARCOS, Texas - Iowa Western turned in a highly productive weekend, highlighted by multiple event victories and a deep list of top-five finishes at the Texas State Bobcat Invitational leading to 20 national qualifying marks. 

On the women's side, Natasha Lynch delivered a standout performance, winning the hammer throw with a mark of 57.30m, improving on her #1 ranking in NJCAA.\

In the high jump, Yman Ossie Tchiengue cleared 1.79m to win the event and take over the #1 spot nationally. Kahdijah Bailey added a 6th-place finish.

Long jumpers also added to the spectacular performances, led by Taeja Bartee, who won the women's long jump with a leap of 6.28m. Freshman Absa Ba placed 3rd (6.02m), while Lyric Butcher secured 5th (5.90m). All 3 now sit top 4 in the NJCAA this season. On the men's side, Jerome Jackson placed 5th in the long jump with a pr and national qualifying mark of 7.30m.

On the track, freshman Mary Laha led the way with a dominant double victory. She captured the women's 100m hurdles in 13.82 and returned to win the 200m in 23.83. Teammates Shantay Augustine (3rd, 13.97) and Maya Bergstrooem Weekes (4th, 13.97) added to a strong hurdle group presence with top-five finishes. In the 400hurdles all 3 also posted national qualifying times with Augustine 1:02.84, Bergstroom Weekes 1:03.23, Laha 1:03.59. The 4x1 Relay of Augustine, Laha, Bartee, Grace Nwaeme lowered their national ranking to 7th stopping the clock in 46.44.

On the mens side, Kadeem Chinapoo won the 100m in 10.59 in pouring rain conditions. He teamed up earlier in the 4x1 with Julien Evering, Jerome Jackson and Hakeem Chinapoo to post a national qualifier of 40.58 for 6th place. Also posting qualifiers were Cyril Sumner 47.41, and Jordan Edwards 47.89. 

In the men's 400m, freshman Keone John secured a win in 48.19, continuing a strong trend in the quarter-mile. He also ran a 53.95 to punch a ticket to nationals in the 400hurdles. The middle-distance group saw Ali Benzem place 2nd in the 800m with a time of 1:50.04.

Field events were a major strength for Iowa Western. Freshman Rajay Hemmings won the men's discus B section with a throw of 53.09m, while Koen Zandvliet added a 2nd place finish at 49.59m.

In the javelin, Gabriel Ortiz delivered a strong 2nd place finish with a throw of 65.25m to hit the national qualifier and move to 3rd in the nation. 

Overall, Iowa Western showcased depth and high-level performance across event groups, with multiple athletes continuing to climb the national rankings as the season progresses.

At the University of Nebraska Spring Kickoff, Rosie Hadley won the long jump in a season best 4.94m. Brooklyn Vomacka has a pr in the triple jump of 10.61m. 

Antonella Lanuza turned in a 2:16.70 in the 800m for 5th place.  

Lovely Hibbert posted a national qualifier in the hammer throw with a 46.51m. 

Aaron Prestwich posted a 2nd place finish in the 100m with a 10.90, followed by Gabe Cheyee in 3rd with 10.97. 

Harel Gameti was 2nd in the 200m in 22.74, followed by Terefe Ormsby in 3rd with a 22.95.

Tanner Gibb posted a collegiate best in the 400m with a 49.82. 

Landon Hartley ran a pr in the 1500m with a 4:02.27. 

Khaledge Reynolds and Peyton Cook posted  pr's in the 400m hurdles, with Reynolds running 57.06 and Cook 57.91

Tate Brownsberger ran a pr in the 3000m steeplechase in 10:26.97. 

Khaliq King posted a personal best in the high jump with a 1.98m leap. 

Taj Wilson won the triple jump in a season best 13.88m. 

Brayden Schoon threw a personal best in the discus with a toss of 40.49. 

The squad will split between meets April 9-11 at the Drake University Jim Duncan Invitational and the Butler Community College Grizzly Gold Invitational.