By Eric Scott
Athletic Communications
The Northwestern Oklahoma State University track and field team continued to show the hard work the athletes have put in over the past several months as the Rangers once again put up multiple personal records in various event types.
Northwestern was one of 24 women’s track and field programs to participate in Saturday’s ESU Spring Twilight Invitational at Emporia State. In the biggest meet to date for the Northwestern track and field team, three Ranger athletes earned top ten finishes, as well as the 4×100.
“As a staff, we continue to be impressed with the work the ladies are putting in during practice, and it shows on days like today,” said Head Coach Jill Lancaster. “As workouts progress, we look to continue to progress in the rankings.”
The 4×100 relay team of Kylee Isbell, Keiazyiah Young, Cayla Smitherand Lashayla Green blew by the previous Northwestern best in the event as they finished at the 50.47 mark, a second and a half faster than the previous best set at the OBU Early Invite.
The most seasoned athlete on the Northwestern team, Kayla Gourley had another outstanding day as she recorded her best finish in the 5000 meter run with a personal mark of 19:46.16, more than 15 seconds quicker than her previous best. Gourley finished in seventh place, while Jessalyn Rivet-Tissot had a top ten time of 20:10.85.
“I’m proud of the mid-distance and distance group,” said Associate Head Coach Brock Hime, who specializes in the areas. “(RayRay) Bell led the way to set a new school mark in the 1500 meter in her debut in the event. Kayla also set a new standard for the distance groups.”
Ladasheray Bell set the top program mark for Northwestern when she crossed the finish line in the 1500 meter with a time of 5:16.35. Rivet-Tissot improved her time from a week ago in the event by almost a second and a half as she finished at the 5:21.51 mark.
Young also had a top ten mark in the triple jump as she set a new PR with a distance of 11.20 meters to finish eighth, more than a meter further than her last best.
Rosaria Milton improved on her best in the shot put to finish ninth with a distance of 11.54 meters. Milton finished just behind Jenny Martinez in the hammer throw with distances of 28.80 and 31.49 meters, respectively.
As a squad, there were many new bests set by the Northwestern throwers.
With Rayna Patton finished just outside the top ten in the discus at 41.38 meters, Eryn Setzer (29.46 meters) and Kelsey Swindle (23.87 meters) earned their personal top marks.
With the conference results entering today’s schedule, Patton’s mark at Emporia State would be third best in the GAC.
“Rayna continued to show why she’s amongst the top in the conference,” said Lancaster. “(KeKe) Young led our jumps with stellar performances as well.”
Swindle also PR’d in the javelin throw with a distance of 25.60 meters, as did Patton (27.60 meters) and Claire Theis(26.54 meters).
Another personal best mark came in the 100 meter hurdles when Gina Wilson crossed the line at 17.19, and Claire Theis followed with a new best of 19.35.
Young, Smith and Isbell set the bar for the Rangers in the 100 dash. Young finished with a school best 12.70, Smither had a 12.99 time and Isbell clocked at 13.05.