WPU Wins Four Events at Baker Invitational

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Baldwin City, Kan.–The Statesmen track and field teams battled against cold, wet conditions to post strong results at the Baker Invitational Saturday.

Elayna VanArsdale (Jr., Bensalem, Pa., Secondary Education) guided the navy and gold, being one of four individuals to claim a title. The junior claimed the hammer crown at 138-9 and also placed second in the discus at 116-4.

Fellow female thrower Shelbie Williams (So., Hedrick, Iowa, Elementary Education) topped the shot put field at 37-11.25, while Chris Leiba (Jr., Olympia, Wash., Business Management) won the men’s 100-meter dash race in 11.05 seconds. Loys Parker (Fr., St. Louis, Mo.) was first in the men’s triple jump as well at 41-4.25.

Raven Williams (Fr., Las Vegas, Nev.) was the next-highest female finisher, ending up third in the 400-meter dash in a time of 1:04.19, while Ashley Omoregie (Fr., Old Bridge, N.J.) was right behind her in fourth at 1:04.33.

Alexzandrea Woudenberg (So., Ottumwa, Iowa) placed seventh in the 100 (13.13), while Talaysia Douver (Fr., Lakewood, Calif.) was eighth in the 1,500-meter run (5:34.27) and Sara Loving (So., Kirkville, Iowa) took ninth in the hammer (110-7).

Joel Brown (Fr., Columbus, Ga.), at 11.19 in the 100, and Mofiyinfoluwa Alade (So., Hoffman Estates, Ill.), at 16.73 in the 110-meter hurdles, headlined the remainder of the Statesmen male top-10 placers as both produced bronze placings.

Jace Lukefahr (Fr., Newton, Iowa) ended up fourth in the discus (126-0) and Kenneth Bolton III (Fr., South Riding, Va.) was seventh in the 800-meter run (2:07.78).

“This was certainly not the best day for a track meet,” Head Coach Allen Friesen said. “I told our athletes that they had a choice to be a predator and battle or they could be prey and let the elements bother them. We were definitely predators today and competed very well.”