Swinney, Weltch, and Men’s 4×4 Break Marks at ISU Open

William Penn University Athletics

Ames–The William Penn track and field teams were up against heavy competition Saturday and managed some solid performances at the Iowa State Open.

Two records, previously snapped earlier this season, were again bettered at the Open.

Alexis Swinney (Fr., McKinney, Texas, McKinney HS) smashed her own 200-meter dash record (27.85 seconds) with a time of 27.43 seconds, while the men’s 4×400-meter relay team of Gabriel Green (Jr., Anniston, Ala., Anniston HS), AJ Michael Rachford (Fr., Agency, Cardinal HS), Blake Washington (So., Knoxville, Knoxville HS), and Josh Roudabush (Sr., Brooklyn, BGM HS) finished the event in 3:26.86, nearly four seconds faster than the previous time (3:30.54).

Another mark, one that stood for over a decade, also went down Saturday as Tamara Weltch (Fr., Oskaloosa, Simpson) crushed Jocelyn Torrez’s 1999 weight throw mark of 29-10 with her toss of 31-1.75.

Green also placed well in the 60-meter dash (6.99, 12th) and the 400-meter dash (50.15, 15th).

Several individuals claimed season bests, including Washington in the 800-meter run (2:00.77) and Sam Taylor (Fr., Eddyville, Eddyville-Blakesburg HS) in the 60-meter hurdles. Both Statesmen were just 0.04 seconds away from setting new school standards of their own. Taylor eclipsed a height of 6-1.25 in the high jump to place sixth as well.

Rachford clocked in at 8.69 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles, while Roudabush was timed at 1:15.14 in the 600-yard run–both season bests.

Jalen Wilson (Fr., Desoto, Texas, Duncanville HS) was unable to notch a season best, but his long jump of 22-5 was still good for fifth.

Megan McDonough (Fr., Ottumwa, Eddyville-Blakesburg HS) also performed well in the women’s long jump with a season-long of 15-10.5.

Next: William Penn travels to Pella Friday for the Central Open.