T&F Season Opens With Broken School & Meet Record

Saturday, December 11

Manhattan, KS

University of Oklahoma

Kansas State Winter Invitational

T&F Season Opens With Broken School & Meet Record

December 11, 2021 | Track and Field

Results Photo Gallery

MANHATTAN, Kan. — The University of Oklahoma track and field team returned to action Saturday for the 2021-22 season opener in Manhattan, Kan., at the K-State Winter Invitational.

The Sooners closed out the day with a broken school and meet record and seven victories, five on the track and two in the field events.

"Today was a great start to our season," said head coach Tim Langford. "We have new coaches and new athletes that got to make their debut in an OU uniform. Many of our returners picked up where they left off last year and some have already progressed their performances as well. I can't wait to get back to business in the new year. It's an exciting time for Sooner Track & Field!"

"The team brought their energy to the meet and maintained their presence the entire day." - Tim Langford

Redshirt senior Lauren Jones started out the day for OU, finishing second in the women's weight throw with a mark of 66-2.25 (20.17m). Junior Geraldine Udo placed sixth with a 58-7.25 (17.86m).

The women's shot put group came out strong with junior Payden Montana placing second with a PR of 55-5.75 (16.91m), Lauren Jones finishing third with a 51-.7.75 (15.74m), and sophomore Paige Low throwing a personal best of 49-4.25.

Redshirt senior Cooper Campbell closed out throws for the day in shot put with a third-place finish of 60-1.25 (18.32m), while Bryant Parlin finished fifth with a mark of 53-0 (16.15m).

In the women's long jump, senior Nicole Ezeoke marked a 17-4.75 (5.30m) for a second-place finish, while senior Allanah Lee also finished second in the women's triple jump with a 40-3.50 (12.28m) mark.

On the men's side of long jump, redshirt senior Garry Williams took home first with a mark of 23-4.75 (7.13m). Also, freshman Khyland Wallace placed second with a 23-4.50 (7.12m), freshman Cam Peters marked 21-11.75 (6.70m) for a fifth-place finish, and sophomore Kunle Akinlosotu finished seventh with a 21-2.75 (6.47m).

Over in the men's triple jump, Kunle Akinlosotu took the crown with a leap of 48-4.50 (14.74m).

Starting on the track, the men's and women's 60-meter competition saw plenty of Sooners collect top-10 spots. On the women's side, freshman Mikayla Hayes (7.66) finished fifth, while Nicole Ezeoke (7.72), Grace Posey (7.82), Jada Atkinson (7.84), Kennedy Crutchfield (7.90) and Kailey Carnine (8.01) took seventh, 10^th, 11^th, 13^th and 14^th, respectively.

In the men's 60 meters, freshman Karson Kowalchuk clocked a 6.76 to take first, senior Quoi Ellis placed second with a 6.78, and junior Alajuwan Robinson finished third with a 6.86, while freshman Josh Bour placed 12^th with a time of 7.20.

The 60-meter hurdles action saw a first and second-place finish. Redshirt senior Jasher Foster clocked in a 8.03 to secure first, while redshirt senior Camri Austin finished with an 8.52 to finish second.

In the women's 300-meter, seven Sooners took to the line. Freshman Jania Hodges finished fourth with a time of 39.61, while freshman Jada Atkinson (40.99) and redshirt senior Ja'Leesa Giles (42.21) finished seventh and ninth, respectively. Just outside of the top 10 was Mikayla Hayes (43.34), Grace Posey (43.68), Kailey Carnine (43.92) and Kennedy Crutchfield (44.41) placed 12^th, 14^th, 16^th and 19^th.

On the men's side, freshman Richard Kuykendoll was added to the OU history books as he broke a school indoor record in the 300-meter with a time of 33.86 seconds. Freshman Jaylen Barringer finished with a 34.96 for a fifth-place finish.

The women's 600-yard race concluded with redshirt senior Jai'Lyn Merriweather taking first with a time of 1:24.91 and junior Levi Gladd clocked a 1:34.98 for a fourth-place finish.

Over on the men's side, redshirt senior Isaiah Levingston made history by breaking the K-State Winter Invite meet record with a PR of 1:10.88. Freshman Gage Hensey added onto the fun with a fifth-place finish with a time of 1:16.48.

The Sooners capped the meet with a second and third-place finish in the women's 4x400-meter relay. The team consisting of Grace Posey, Ja'Leesa Giles, Jania Hodges and Jada Atkinson clocked a 4:16.32 to finish second, while Camri Austin, Kennedy Crutchfield, Mikayla Hayes and Kailey Carnine finished third with a time of 4:28.46.

A total of 31 Sooners competed, with 10 freshman making their collegiate debut.

Oklahoma returns to the track Jan. 14 in Fayetteville, Ark., for the Arkansas Invitational.

For updates and more information on Oklahoma track and field, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_Track) and like Oklahoma Sooners Track & Field and Cross Country on Facebook.