The ‘Cats are headed to the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships this weekend after a successful weekend at Texas Tech.
With many top-five finishes and two victories, the Wildcats had their last practice for championships and are headed to Hammond, Louisiana to try and find a place in the championships.
Senior Lauren Jones placed first in women’s hammer with a throw of 50.65 meters.
While men’s junior thrower Jelani Rainey placed second with a throw of 53.90 meters.
Sophomore distance runner Alexandria Hackett gained a personal record with a time of 4:35.10 in the women’s 1500-meter run, with teammate sophomore Marina Guerrero coming in fourth, ten seconds behind Hackett.
Freshman thrower Kayla Melgar has appeared in more of the standings in the end of the season and continues to improve.
Melgar placed third in women’s discus and women’s shot, where she earned a personal best, with throw lengths of 49.89 meters and 13.39 meters.
Freshman thrower Kai Schmidt has almost finished his first season at ACU.
“The season is not over yet,” said Schmidt. “We are just now to our peak and I believe that our performances will increase at championships. I very happy with how this season went and I am looking forward for an even better season next year.”
While members like Schmidt have three more years left with the program to look forward to, senior teammate Lexus Williams only has one more meet to compete at.
“I don’t think any race is an indication of championships,” said Williams. “We have been going and going since January. I am sure we will come back stronger than ever for the conference meet.”
Junior relayer Johnathan Farquharson was absent from the previous meet, but is the Southland Conference’s top ranked runner in the 200 meter and the number four runner in the 100 meter.
The team will say their good byes to three members of the women’s team – Williams, Jones and pole vaulter Sarena Underwood – and two members of the men’s team who have been key competitors this season – distance runner Daniel Block and sprinter Osie Alleyne-Forte.
The five athletes have spent their time at ACU and have successfully used up their four years of eligibility while ending their career as a Wildcat.
“I have progressed in a lot way,” said Williams. “I have progressed in my overall physical fitness, with the way I think going into a race and in my overall confidence.”
With a fresh team and a strong weekend to go off, the team expects to do big things this weekend.
The ‘Cats will begin the conference championships on Friday, May 8 in Louisiana.
