The Oklahoma Christian University men’s track and field team qualified more Eagles during the weekend for the national competition.
The distance runners competed at Wichita State’s Distance Carnival with six runners posting national qualifying times at the event. The sprinters, relay teams and throwers traveled to Pittsburg State University in Kansas, where seven Eagles posted national-qualifying performances.
Timothy Zuercher and Sisay Gillock ran in the in the 5,000-meter, both posted season-best times. Zuercher recorded a 15:09.08, and Gillock finished with a 15:18.67, both were national qualifying times.
Bryant Keirns and Blake Thompson also posted season-best and national-qualifying times in the 10,000-meters. Keirns finished at 33:37.36, and Thompson recorded a 33:38.57.
Leading up to the meet in Kansas, Joshua Jones said the intensity in practice and training was raised quite a bit, especially on the part of the relay teams.
“There was a little more motivation throughout the team because we know we have to get our times down as the season is coming to a close,” Jones said. “Our relays can be faster and that’s what we’re working for. Some people are working to qualify for individual events too, so they have that motivation.”
The more intensive training appeared to benefit the Eagles, as four competitors posted season-best marks. Jamal George, Jones, Landon Huslig and Adetoye Alao posted top marks in their respective events.
George posted his season-best in the 200-meter with a time of 22.84 seconds, a national qualifier. Jones ran the 400-meter hurdles in 50.05 seconds, while Huslig competed in the 110-meter hurdles and posted his season-best time of 15.04 seconds.
Alao was one of the few field competitors of the day, but threw a top mark discus at 138 feet, 2 inches.
Jones said he believes his relay team could improve some before the playoffs.
“I’d like to see faster splits on the relays,” Jones said. “I know I have a lot to improve this week, and I’m going to go out there and give my team the effort they deserve. Our relays are hot this year, and we have a lot of potential to be a top contender. We just all need to get in the mindset of wanting it more than anything. I’m personally trying to split a faster time than I have been. I’m first leg and I need to get the team a bigger lead than what I’ve been delivering.”
The 4×400-meter relay team, consisting of Jones, Kentrell Miller, Thomas Ducat and Huslig, recorded its season-best time on Saturday with a time of 3:16.74.
Head Coach Randy Heath said he was very pleased with his team’s competitiveness this weekend.
“I thought the team performed well, with the help from some good and calm weather,” Heath said. “Our 4×400 relay team continued its successes, taking third with a season-best time.”
The Eagles run next at the Kansas Relays this upcoming weekend.
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