The K-State track and field teams wrapped up their regular season on a high note Friday (May 9) at the Ward Haylett Invitational, hosted at R.V. Christian Track, posting standout performances and personal bests.
A total of 12 Wildcats secured event victories, highlighted by sophomore Tavon Underwood’s record-breaking run in the men’s 400 meters. His time of 45.75 seconds set a new meet record, marked a personal best, and placed him seventh all-time in K-State outdoor history.
“It was a phenomenal day, especially a breakthrough in the 400 meters with Tavon clocking 45.7, breaking the meet record and earning his NCAA first round spot,” said head coach Travis Geopfert.
Sprinters left their mark in the hurdles as well, led by senior James Ezeonu’s 14.01 finish in the 110m hurdles—ranking 10th all-time at K-State. Junior Cyrus Ways (51.46) climbed to eighth in school history in the 400m hurdles, and senior Ludivine Aubert’s 57.49 placed her fourth on the women’s all-time list.
Freshman Quenton Rice won the 100 meters with a time of 10.54, while sophomore Nen Matlock finished second in the 400 meters with a personal best of 46.44.
In the field, junior Nate Collier won the men’s discus (56.25m/184’6″) and senior Jaycee Schroeder claimed the women’s shot put (16.30m/53’5¾”). Senior Shalom Olotu took the women’s long jump with a season-best 6.21m (20’4½”).
The Wildcats dominated the distance events, with senior Tommy Hazen winning the men’s 1,500 meters in a personal-best 3:51.46. Freshman Jackson Esquibel followed in second at 3:54.88. In the women’s 1,500 meters, sophomore Vienna Lahner won in 4:22.99, followed by freshman Christine Jerono (4:25.02) and junior Grace Meyer (4:25.68).
Sophomore Pierson Carlisle finished second in the pole vault with a personal-best clearance of 5.21m (17’1″), entering K-State’s outdoor top-10 at No. 3. Junior Claire Bybee also impressed with two personal bests in the women’s pole vault, finishing third at 4.20m (13’9¼”), tying for third in the record books.
“Coach Kip [Janvrin] and the vault crew had a huge day,” said Geopfert. “Claire and Pierson both hit personal bests and qualified for the NCAA first round—really proud of their performances.”
In throws, senior Jessi Brummett was runner-up in the javelin with a personal best of 47.00m (154’2″), while junior Saydee Tanking placed third (43.09m/141’4″). Junior Tamaiah Koonce took second in the women’s discus (52.49m/172’2″). Already NCAA-qualified, senior Emil Uhlin notched personal bests in the discus (46.47m/152’5″) and shot put (14.58m/47’10”), finishing third in both events.
K-State now shifts focus to the postseason, beginning with the Big 12 Championship from May 15-17 at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kan.
FROM THE TRACK
Head Coach Travis Geopfert
On honoring the seniors in their final home meet:
“First and foremost, I want to recognize our 12 graduating seniors. It was a perfect night at R.V. Christian Track, and we wanted to send them off with appreciation and a strong performance across all events.”
On heading into championship season:
“It was an awesome day. We had multiple NCAA qualifiers, and now we’re excited to take this momentum into Big 12s next week in Lawrence and see how we stack up in championship competition.”
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