Hammer Throwers Lead the Way

Friday, March 21

Tempe, Ariz.

3:00 PM

University of Oklahoma

Baldy Castillo Invitational

March 22, 2014 | Track and Field

By: Athletics Communications

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Junior Rylee Rackley improved her school record in the indoor weight throw three weeks ago. In Friday's competition at the Baldy Castillo Invitational, the outdoor season opener, she and sophomore Sarah Tolson served notice that the current hammer throw school record might not last much longer.

Rackley finished fourth in the hammer with a 187-11, five feet better than her previous career best and less than 10 feet under the current school mark. Tolson wasn't far behind, taking sixth place with a 182-6, just under her career best.

For the men in the hammer throw, freshman Charles Nguyen finished eighth with a 190-7. That mark put him in fifth place on the all-time Sooner career list. Sophomore Austin Perry opened his 2014 outdoor season, finishing ninth with a 183-8, a nearly three feet improvement of his previous career best. He ranks sixth on the all-time career list in the hammer.

The only other events run tonight, the 1500-meter run, produced strong results for OU. Senior Molly Williams took third with a 4:25.15, a mark that moved her into ninth place on the OU career honor roll.

Other Sooner women in the 1500 included Kelsey McKee, who finished eighth with a 4:36.33; Elena Arriaza, 11th with a 4:43.27; Marissa Codispodi, 12th with a 4:48.98; and Brittany Tretbar, 13th with a 4:50.44.

The Sooner men performed well with three of the top six finishers, five of the top 10. Jacob Burcham led OU with a 3:46.21 to finish fourth followed by Brandon Doughty, who took fifth with a 3:47.96, and Abbabiya Simbassa, sixth with a 3:48.06.

Wrapping up the top 10, Allen Eke was eighth with a 3:50.77 and Malcolm Wankel was 10th with a 3:51.34.

Rounding out the Sooner finishers were Eric Graf, who recorded a 4:00.36, and Kyle Polman, who had a 4:93.70.

Competition continues for the Sooners on Saturday with the field events starting at noon central time. Running events are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.