This past weekend the Wildcats track team traveled to Texas A&M for the Ted Nelson Invitational. The men placed sixth in men’s and our women placed fifth.

“The team went in to compete well and have good focus,” said head track coach Lance Bingham. “With this mindset, we came out breaking multiple records.”

One, in particular, was the record broken by junior, Annina Brandenburg, from Dusseldorf, Germany. Brandenburg broke the previous shot put record set by Marlene Lewis in 1987. Brandenburg broke the previous record of 15.46m with a 15.94m throw. This was her second school record, the first had occurred last season when she broke the record for discus hitting a distance of 56.86m.

“Our distance runners have not hit their peak yet so they will continue to improve as the season goes on,” Bingham said.

Another shining star was Briahna Gerlach, junior from Gakona, Alaska. Gerlach had a personal record and fourth all-time for ACU in the Women 3,000m clocking in at 9:53:10. Gerlach led the 2019 cross-country team all season. Irene Rono, freshman from Eldama Ravine, Kenya, also had a top ten for ACU. Rono set a personal record in the women’s 3,000-meters, clocking in at 10:22:29 giving her the tenth best all-time at ACU.

“A lot of kids are really embracing the process and blending well,” Bingham said.

Two freshmen who made it in the top ten best of all-time were Jeremy King from Lancaster and Jacob Mechler from Andrews. King got tenth best of all-time in mens 60-meter hurdles finals with an 8.28 second time. Mechler got tenth best of all-time in Men weight throw with a 17.45m throw.

The next meet for the Wildcats will be in Lubbock on the weekend of Jan. 30 for the Texas Tech Invitational.