The ACU track and field team will compete in the West Texas A&M Open and Multi at Canyon this weekend. The nationally ranked Wildcat men’s and women’s teams will look to continue their great play of late after a good outing at Lubbock last weekend.
“Every week we are making strides and improving overall as a team,” Coach Jerrod Cook said. “I see us coming closer as a team and pushing each other to higher levels. Every week we are taking another step up the ladder to reach the top.”
The Wildcats had several standout performances last weekend.
Senior Chloe Susset was superb in the steeplechase, taking first place with a 10:56 time.
Hammer throwers Shalania Lakey and Baptiste Kerjean also did well as each won their event with 164 feet – 5 inches (50.11 meters) and 154-6 (47.10m), respectively. For Kerjean, it was his second first place finish in his past three events.
“We have to continue to raise the bar for our performances,” Cook said. “We had some great placement performances at Texas Tech this past weekend. I was very pleased with the meet overall, especially after a tough week of training.”
Freshman Johnathan Farquharson, from Freeport, Bahamas, did very well in the 200m. He finished with a 21.23 second time, ranking tenth in Division II.
“Jay Farquharson had a great time in the 200m,” Cook said. “I am excited about his performances moving forward because he is very hungry for more and I know he hasn’t reached his potential. He is definitely an athlete that will rise to the occasion and give one hundred percent every time he steps on the track.”
Junior Andrew Hudson and freshman Jelani Rainey also registered personal records in the hammer, as did senior Tara Riley in the javelin (123-8/37.69m). Hudson finished third in the hammer with a distance of 169-0 (51.51m), while Rainey came in fifth (159-1/48.48m). ACU also did well in the pole vault event, as senior Matthew Stark recorded a 15-1.25 score. Stark also competed in the 110-meter hurdles and finished with a time of 16.00 seconds.
“There is a ton of talent out here and everyone is working hard to reach their potential and their goals as individuals as well as our goals to leave division II as conference and national champions,” Cook said.
Events this weekend begin at 2 p.m., Friday with the decathlon and 100-meter dash and conclude Saturday night with the men’s 4×400-meter relay.
