Track and field participated in two meets this weekend – the TCU Invitational and the McMurry University War Hawk Classic – where it claimed four victories. Along with those victories, 21 Wildcats finished in the top five of their events.
The TCU Invitational welcomed sophomore distance runner Diana Garcia Muñoz with a first-place finish in the 1,500-meter race.
Muñoz finished with a time of 4:34.06, less than two seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. Muñoz also excelled in the women’s 800-meter run with a time of 2:16.27 while placing fourth among 22 competitors.
The ‘Cats made great strides despite the effect the inclement weather and construction have had on their practices, but hammer throwers such as junior Jelani Rainey said they think it could have gone better.
“Going into the meet, I felt confident on my technique, but I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to adjust to throwing in a ring,” Rainey said. “We have not been able to throw hammer out of an actual ring for practice because of the construction.”
Overall, Rainey placed seventh in men’s discus with a distance of 45.81 meters. Freshman thrower Kai Schmidt received a first-place title in the discus with a throw of 51.68 meters. Schmidt also placed second in shot put with a record of 16.08 meters, more than one meter behind the first-place distance of 17.09 meters.
The McMurry open gave vaulters like sophomore Kenzie Walker a great start to the outdoor season. Walker and freshman Jaden Dement placed first in pole vault with heights of 3.80 meters and 4.85 meters. Walker’s new outdoor personal best is tied in the ACU record books with seventh place holders Elizabeth Buyse and Jane McNeill, while being only half a foot short of her goal of 13 feet.
Redshirt freshman Kayla Melgar was able to compete in the McMurry meet where she placed fifth in women’s discus with a distance of 46.47 meters.
“My first track meet was nerve-wracking but worth it because I had a great experience,” Melgar said. “I improved where it was needed.”
Melgar also placed in women’s hammer and shot put with teammates senior Lauren Jones and freshman Lonnie Smith.
“I have a long way to go, but today was only the start,” Melgar said.
The ‘Cats will be back on the track this weekend in Austin at the Texas Relays where the ‘Cats have competed for over five years.
The meet will begin Wednesday at the Mike A. Myers Stadium.
