Men and women’s track and field find personal records and gold at Texas Tech

Photo by: Henoc Kivuye

 

Oklahoma Christian University walked away from an indoor track meet at Texas Tech last weekend with multiple athletes having posted qualifying times for nationals.

Junior Maegan Cowan started off strong Friday in the 600-meter race, finishing 17th in1:30.70. Sophomore Kara Drewke took 30th overall in 1:36.50.

Saturday the Lady Eagles were determined to improve their performances on the track, finishing with athletes placing in the 4×400 meter relay, the mile, the 200-meter race and the weight throw.

The Lady Eagles finished the 4×400 meter race in 16th place. The relay team consisted of Cowan, sophomore Rebecca Bloodworth, senior Somer Helms and senior Andrea Dennis.

Drewke broke into the 400-meter dash for the first time in her career.

“This is the first 400-meter race I have ever run at an indoor meet,” Drewke said. “I feel pretty good about my times and placement.”

Drewke placed 23rd overall with a time of 64 seconds, boosting her confidence in herself and the Lady Eagles for future track meets.

“My goal is to make new [personal records] in my events at each meet and to qualify for the national meet,” Drewke said. “Decrease my times and qualify for nationals [as well], especially in the 400-[meter] hurdles. Hurdles are my favorite event.”

The Lady Eagles had a good run in the mile as freshman Maci Rich claimed 11th in 5:31.13 and freshman Layne Hammer finished 17th with a time of 5:37.75.

The Ostlund sisters also did well in the weighted throw portion of the competition. Junior Katie Ostlund placed sixth with a throw of 12.61 meters, while her younger sister, freshman Miranda Ostlund, took 12th with 11.48 meters.

“These two siblings are going to be a powerhouse in the expected years to come in the throwing events,” senior Roxann Gonzalez said. “Katie is a real leader amongst the throwers, even though she is a year younger than me. She taught me everything I know about the javelin. I would not have improved so much if it were not for Katie coaching me through it.”

Gonzalez described the experience of working with both sisters on the same team as an “adventure.”

“Some days they just bicker at each other, but I know they push one another to get better, so it’s fun to have Miranda around to bug her big sister,” Gonzalez said.

The Lady Eagles were not the only ones to take over Texas Tech. The men also played competitively in multiple events, some on the same day.

Sophomore Austin Wallace competed in three events the first day: Wallace took 13th in the 55-meter hurdle with a time of 8.26, 38th in the 55-meter run with a time of 6.73 and 25th in the 1000-meter race in 2:59.92.

The Eagles did bring home some gold. Sophomore Bryant Keirns took first in the 3000-meter race with a time of 8:48.91. Junior Brennym Kaelin also finished fourth in the 3000-meter race, clocking in at 9:02.82.

Not only did the Eagles and Lady Eagles have successful runs at the Texas Tech Open, they also had several athletes qualify for nationals. Freshman Kyle Broaddrick qualified with an 18th-place finish in the mile. Senior Larry Brown qualified in weight throw (throw distance). Senior Winston Ogletree and junior Jamal George qualified in the 200-meter race with 24th and 27th-place finishes, respectively.  For the the Lady Eagles, Rich qualified in the mile – the women’s 4×400 relay team qualified as well. Indoor nationals take place Feb. 21 and 22 in Illinois.

Outdoor season begins March 13 at the Southwestern Invitational in Winfield, Kan. Outdoor differs from indoor in its events, such as the javelin throw, which is exclusive to outdoor season. Outdoor events also include the big man relay, which is an event for all throwers, and the winners receive fun prizes such as cupcakes or pizza. Indoor events also have a different lap distances. The indoor track is smaller, making one lap 200-meters while the outdoor track is 400-meters for one lap. Some competitors believe indoor meets are much more about mental stamina than physical stamina because they require more laps but still cover the same distance. Being mentally strong is essential for these runners.

Not all track and field competitors compete in both indoor and outdoor, however. Gonzalez only competes in outdoor and has been working hard to prepare for the upcoming season.

“I was injured all through indoor season so it left me struggling to get my arm stronger,” Gonzalez said. “I wasn’t allowed to throw a javelin for a couple of months, but towards the end of the season I came back and threw my farthest, but missed qualifying for nationals by a centimeter.”

Gonzalez put in the hours during the offseason to make this year different from her last.

“This summer I was in the gym a lot training really hard and it paid off, because I’m already throwing farther than last season,” Gonzalez said. “I’m just going to continue to work hard and hopefully qualify this year, and I’m really excited to see the competition for this season.”

The Eagles now prepare for the J.D. Martin Invitational in Norman, Okla. on Jan. 25., and the Missouri Southern Lion Invitational on Jan. 31 through Feb. 1 in Joplin, Mo.