Three Golds at Central Open
William Penn University Athletics
Pella–A load of Statesmen and Lady Statesmen track and field athletes placed high at the Central Open Saturday.
Sade Myers (Fr., Honolulu, Hawaii, Radford HS) and Audre Harris (So., Junction City, Kan., Allen CC) were winners on the women’s side, while Gabriel Green (Jr., Anniston, Ala., Anniston HS) claimed a crown for the men.
Myers topped the 800-meter run field in a time of 2:26.35, while Harris was the best 100-meter hurdler in a time of 15.96 seconds. Green crossed the line first in the 200-meter dash in a time of 21.94 seconds.
Trevor Volz (Fr., Adel, ADM HS) picked up a silver in the 400-meter hurdles (58.30 seconds), while the William Penn men had three bronzes, including two in the jumps.
Jalen Wilson (Fr., Desoto, Texas, Duncanville HS), with a long jump of 22-7, and Cody Hill (Fr., New Orleans, La., De Lasalle HS), with a triple jump of 42-2.75, accomplished the feat as did the 4×400-meter relay squad (3:27.24).
AJ Michael Rachford (Agency, Cardinal HS) placed fourth in the 110-meter hurdles in a time of 15.62 seconds.
Blake Washington (So., Knoxville, Knoxville HS) highlighted the mid-distance runners by taking fifth in the 800-meter run (1:59.74), while Nick Reynolds (Sr., Riverton, Utah, Iowa Western CC) posted a pair of top-ten distance finishes. The senior was fifth in the 3,000-meter run (9:29.60) and tenth in the 1,500-meter run (4:20.44).
John Kilgore Los Angeles, Calif., West Los Angeles CC) was the first Statesmen to finish the 100-meter dash in a time of 11.53 seconds, while Brandyn Taylor (So., Lusby, Md., Patuxent HS) topped the throwers with a javelin toss of 131-6.
Morgan Avery (Sr., Minot, N.D., Iowa Western CC), with a 3,000 time of 13:35.85, and the 4×4, with a time of 4:00.92, recorded runner-up showings on the women’s side.
Alexis Swinney (Fr., McKinney, Texas, McKinney HS) was third in the 100 (13.15 seconds), while Shaniece Dishmon (Fr., Harvey, Ill., Thornton Township HS) placed fourth in the 200 (27.50 seconds).
Freshmen Amanda Wakelin (Ottumwa, Davis County HS), who was fifth in the long jump (14-9.25), and Tamara Weltch (Oskaloosa, Simpson), who was sixth in the hammer throw (113-2), rounded out the top finishes at the Open.
Next: William Penn travels to Indianola next Thursday and Friday to compete in the Kip Janvrin Open hosted by Simpson. Some select individuals may also travel to Des Moines next week to compete in the prestigious Drake Relays.
