The Track and Field teams were split up this weekend as they competed in both Austin and San Marcos. Both squads turned in quality performances as seniors Amanda Ouedraogo, Shalaina Lakey, Ayesha Rumble and Banjo Jaiyesimi headlined the weekend.
“We had some great performances throughout,” Interim coach Jerrod Cook said. “I am very happy with the team’s overall success.”
Ouedraogo recorded a jump of 43 feet, 3.25 inches (13.19 meters with 1.7 wind) in the first round to take the early lead at Myers Stadium, matching her own personal best. The jump was steady at third place for most of the competition, until Kansas senior Andrea Geubelle knocked her down to fourth on the final attempt of the third round. Ouedraogo would fail to improve on her score and would finish the competition with a solid fourth place.
“Amanda was great at the meet and her jumps were incredible,” Cook said. “I am excited to see how she builds on her performance throughout the season.”
Jaiyesimi and Rumble both captured first place in their 800-meter run. Rumble recorded a season-best and NCAA provisional time of 2:12.17, but Jaiyesimi (1:52.50) just missed the men’s provisional standard by .08 seconds. Lakey’s toss landed at the 168-0 mark (51.22m), while Hartwick’s best effort was measured 163-9 (49.92m). Senior Tara Riley also improved on her provisional mark in the discus with a throw of 147-1 (44.85m). Senior Shennae Steele placed fourth in the 200-meter dash with a provisional cut of 24.04 and senior Alyse Goldsmith was the runner-up in the 3K with a provisional time of 10:57.38.
“Everyone really stepped up and did well,” Cook said.
The men’s team opened its relay season with a time of 40.78 in the 4×100 relay and 3:18.35 in the 4×400 relay on the final day of the 86th annual Texas Relays. It was the final time the Wildcats would compete at Myers Stadium before returning to NCAA Division I in track and field next year. The Wildcats finished fourth in the 400-meter relay and eighth in the 1,600-meter relay for Cook. Senior Jordan Geary anchored the sprint relay that improved its performance from the 2012 Texas Relays (40.94), which also was its season opener. He was joined by sophomore Osei Allyene-Forte and freshmen Devan Brown and Johnathan Farquarshon.
“Our track teams are going to be fun to watch this year,” Cook said. “They are really putting in a lot at every practice and it has shown. I know they will continue to rise to the occasion.”
Next weekend, April 6-7, ACU is scheduled to split its squad between the Sun Angel Classic at Tempe, Ariz., and Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
