Elmore, Robinson Qualify in Successful Season Opener
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Pella–Derek Robinson (Sr., Jenks, Okla., Communications) and Tristen Elmore (So., Ovied, Fla., Physical Education) guided the Statesmen track and field teams to an impressive start to its indoor campaign as it competed at the Central Holiday Preview Saturday.
Elmore had two event wins, including taking the gold in the long jump with a provisional standard mark of 22-10; he was also first in the high jump at 6-6.75. The sophomore was third in the 60-meter dash as well in a time of 7.02 seconds.
Robinson had two high finishes, highlighted by finishing third in the weight throw with a provisional standard of 53-8.25. The senior was also second in the shot put at 48-3.5.
Freshmen Mofiyinfoluwa Alade and Eric Jones matched Elmore at the top of the high jump field at 6-6.75. Jones also placed third in the triple jump (42-4), while Alade was 10th in the 60-meter hurdles (9.07 seconds).
Earl George (Sr., Gaithersburg, Md., Biology) and Seth Davis both had a pair of top-10 efforts. George was seventh in the long jump (20-10.75) and ninth in the shot put (42-3.5), while Davis was eighth in the 400-meter dash (54.55 seconds) and ninth in the long jump (20-3.75).
Fifth-place finishes were tallied by the 4×400-meter relay (3:35.07) and Brendon Foster in the 60-meter hurdles (8.77 seconds).
Sage Ehresman (So., Sully, Iowa, Exercise Science) ended up sixth in the shot put at 44-8.75, while Malik Williams (Fr., Kansas City, Mo., Industrial Technology) was 10th at 40-3.5. Korraye Russ (Fr., Columbus, Ga., History) finished ninth in the one-mile run at 4:53.83, and Treavon Ware (Fr., Washington, D.C., History) was 10th in the 600-meter run in 1:34.10.
Freshman Caitlin Morton topped WPU’s female competitors in her collegiate debut, winning the high jump at 5-3 and taking third in the 300-meter dash in 44.66 seconds.
Asia Laudermilch (So., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Physical Education) matched Morton with a title, winning the 60-meter dash in 8.00 seconds.
Guadalupe Gonzalez (Sr., Houston, Texas, Exercise Science) claimed bronze in the 3,000-meter run in 11:29.33, while Heaven Buckner (Fr., St. Louis, Mo., Business Management) was fourth in the 600-meter run (1:55.04). D’Jannay Patterson (So., Fairfield, Iowa, Physical Education) took sixth in the 300-meter dash (46.86) as well.
Amanda McGuire headed the hurdlers, finishing ninth in the 60-meter hurdles in 10.42.
Three of the squad’s throwers all had two top-10 finishes. Elayna VanArsdale (So., Bensalem, Pa., Secondary Education) led the trio, earning a runner-up award in the weight throw (48-2.75) and placing fifth in the shot put (37-2.5).
Shelbie Williams (So., Hedrick, Iowa, Elementary Education) was second in the shot put (40-7.75) and ninth in the weight throw (41-7.25), while Becky Cleppe (So., St. Petersburg, Fla., Physical Education) was fourth in the weight (44-9.5) and 10th in the shot (34-0.75).
“This was a really good start to our indoor season,” Head Coach Allen Friesen said. “In addition to Derek Robinson and Tristen Elmore qualifying, several other individuals just missed doing the same. I was impressed with not only our returners, but also our freshmen. Our athletes keep raising the bar every year at this season-opening meet.”
Next Up: William Penn is off until after the holidays, traveling to Dubuque on January 13 to compete in the Sol Butler Classic.
