The Oklahoma Christian University men’s track and field team stole the show in the 3,000-meter race with five Eagles finishing consecutively from second through sixth place.
Out of the eight qualifying times Oklahoma Christian posted in the Central Oklahoma Open on Saturday, six came from the 3,000-meter race, highlighted by Roberto Diaz who finished second with a time 8:37.34.
Diaz was followed by his teammates who finished behind him. Bryant Kierns finished third with a time of 8:39.19, Brennyn Kaelin followed in fourth place with a 8:43.89, Sisay Gillock and Kyle Broaddick finished fifth and sixth respectively; Gillock at 8:46.20 and Broaddick with a time of 9:00.04.
Evan Durrill placed tenth for the Eagles with a time of 9:21.58.
Track and Field Head Coach Randy Heath said the Eagles held their own this weekend at a meet with high levels of competition.
“I thought we competed very well in an extremely large meet,” Heath said. “We kept our focus and intensity throughout the entire meet.”
There were a few more NCCAA national qualifiers for the Eagles, including Kentrell Miller in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.20 and Landon Huslig in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.60. Also qualifying for the national meet was the men’s 1-mile relay team, which placed second with a time of 3:26.01.
Heath said he was proud of his team and the way they competed.
“Many of the guys on the team improved this past week from the previous meet and that accounts for more NCCAA qualifiers,” Heath said.
According to freshman thrower Toye Alao, field players came into the meet knowing the contestants would be skilled.
“We knew coming into this meet that it would be really tough with some great competition, and we were prepared to accept the challenge,” Alao said.
Alao competed in the shot put and said he focused on his mechanics throughout the meet.
“I was really focused on perfecting my technique in an early meet such as this one and I believe I really improved in that area,” Alao said. “I was mainly concerned with keeping good balance in the ring and not receiving any foot fouls or other technique violations.”
Other times for the Eagles include Ryan Lutterloh who placed eighth in the 800-meter race with a time of 2:01.64.
Diaz also earned fourth in the 1-mile with a 4:33.24.
The Eagles will travel back to Norman in the same facility and compete in the Central Oklahoma Indoor Invitational on Jan. 31.
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