The Reivers were back in action this weekend with split squads at various meets. At the Wash U Distance Carnival, Geoffry Ronoh continued his record-breaking season winning the 10000m run in 29:17.64. This was the #7 time in NJCAA history and new school record. Teammates Barnibas Ndiwa 29:21.55 (#8 in NJCAA history), Jacinto Gaspar 29:54.23 and Victor Kemboi 30:27.18 followed. This quartet now owns the top 4 times in the NJCAA this season.
Flynn Pumpa ran a 9:24.48 in the steeplechase to hit a national qualifier.
On the women's side, Barbara Nieva posted a school record and national leading mark in the steeplechase with a 10:54.62. This is the #7 mark in NJCAA history. Silvia Gradizzi opened her outdoor season with a national qualifier in the 1500m in 4:44.80.
Meanwhile, at the Texas at the Texas State Bobcat Invitational, more records were being broken. Angeline Estrada ran a lifetime best to break the school record in the 800m in 2:10.07. Mercy Honesty finished 2nd by 1cm in the triple jump posting a 12.53m. Jayla Brown hit a pb in 11.99m and Sakina Umar went 11.94m. Kaylia Kelly ran a strong 200m to pick up a collegiate best of 23.79.
Yekini Bowen threw the national lead in the discus with a toss of 57.67m to finish 3rd place. Alex Del Popolo posted a huge personal best to win the javelin throwing 64.82m to qualify for nationals with the 2nd furthest toss in the nation this season. Donald Lamp threw a 50.25m in the hammer also picking up a national qualifier. Michael Francois ran a personal best in the 800m with a 1:50.60 to post a national qualifier. OT Omot jumped a solid 15.07m in the triple jump to post a personal best and national qualifier.
Paul Rowden and Cain Brown both finished tied for 3rd place in the high jump in 2.06m. Natalie Albert threw a huge personal best by almost 10 meters in the hammer throw. She heaved it 48.46m, the #4 mark in the nation and #2 in school history. Nikkolia Kennedy ran a 14.20 in the 110 hurdles to hit a wind-legal national qualifier.
At Texas Relays, Denzs Simmonds broke the school record in the shot put throwing 17.86m. The Women's 4x4 of Okon, Amissah, Kelly, and Estrada ran 3:45.22 to post the 3rd fastest time in program history. Next up, the teams will travel to Vermillion. South Dakota for the University of South Dakota Early Bird meet on riday and Saturday April 5 & 6th.
