Green, Taylor Win Titles at Central

William Penn University Athletics

Pella–No school records were set, but Friday’s showing by the Statesmen track and field team was still praise-worthy as the team competed at the Central Dutch Athletics Invitational.

Gabriel Green (Jr., Anniston, Ala., Anniston HS) headlined the activities by winning the 200-meter dash in a time of 22.42 seconds.

The junior also placed second in the 55-meter dash with a time of 6.47 seconds. Green, who has already qualified in the 60 (the distance that is run at nationals), bettered the NAIA’s ‘B’ standard in the sport’s fastest event.

Sam Taylor (Fr., Eddyville, Eddyville-Blakesburg HS) collected a title as well, tying for first in the high jump at 5-10.75.

The freshman was also the top qualifier in the 55-meter hurdles at 8.11 seconds, but was disqualified in the finals due to a false start.

Like Green, Armond Thigpen (Fr., Park Forest, Ill., Thornton Township HS) was also a two-time placer in the sprints, taking second in the 200-meter dash (22.96 seconds) and fourth in the 55-meter dash (6.71 seconds).

Dexter Jordan (So., St. Louis, Mo., Forrest Park CC), in a time of 1:25.88, and Blake Washington (So., Knoxville, Knoxville HS), in a time of 1:26.23, went 3-4 in the 600-meter run, while Trevor Volz (Fr., Adel, ADM HS) gave the navy and gold a second point-getter in the 55-meter hurdles by taking fourth at 8.32 seconds.

Jalen Wilson (Fr., Desoto, Texas, Duncanville HS) and Michael Fulton (Sr., St. Louis, Mo., Eureka HS) represented William Penn well in the field events.

Wilson was third in the long jump at 21-4.75, while Fulton notched a season-best weight throw of 42-0.75 to take home fifth-place honors.

The Statesmen were second out of five teams with 74 points, while Central easily topped the men’s standings with 258 points.

Next: William Penn travels to Mount Vernon Friday to compete in the Cornell Hilltop Invitational.