Richmore's Performance Highlights Day One of Big 12s

Richmore's Performance Highlights Day One of Big 12s

February 23, 2024 | Track and Field

Lubbock, Texas – The University of Oklahoma track and field team wrapped up day one of the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championship in Lubbock, Texas, Friday night.

The Sooners earned two podium finishes, seven top-eight scores and 15 new personal bests. The women's squad concluded day one with 47.5 points and sit in third, while the men's team collected 9.5 points for seventh place.

Junior Angel Richmore's historic, career-best pentathlon performance brought early action for the Sooners.

"I'm excited about Angel's breakthrough today. She's still learning and making adjustments since she has only been here since January," said associate coach for combined events, Jerel Langley. "She's really bought in and her hard work showed today. It's exciting to know there's still more things to improve on, but we're very proud of her."

The women's pentathlon opened the championship for the Sooners at 10 a.m. Richmore collected a new personal best in the 60-meter hurdles with an 8.64 time for 987 points. Sophomore Ally Stephenson also grabbed a new PR, clocking in at 8.70 for 974 points.

To continue the pentathlon, Richmore jumped to a season-best 1.80 (5-10.75) mark in the high jump. This mark accounts for the fifth-best jump in OU indoor history. Stephenson registered 1.62 (5-3.75).

Richmore held steady at first in the pentathlon with 2,765 points after tossing to 14.09 (46-2.75) in the shot put. Stephenson recorded an 8.84 (29-0) throw, adding to her 2,187 total.

Still in first, Richmore jumped to 5.75 (18-10.50) in the long jump for fourth place. Ally Stephenson earned a 5.55 (18-2.50) measure.

After securing a 2:27.61 time in the 800m, Angel Richmore took second place in the women's pentathlon with 4,262 points. Richmore now holds the second-best pentathlon score in OU indoor history and the No. 6 tally in the NCAA so far this season. Sophomore Ally Stephenson finished the pentathlon with 3,594 points after running a career-best 2:30.07 time in the 800m.

Kassidy Gallagher took second overall in the women's weight throw with a career-best 20.83 (68-4.25) mark. Kennedy Clarke also scored for the Sooners with a fifth-place finish, registering 19.22 (63-0.75).

Two Sooners ran in the women's 60-meter hurdles prelims. Eva Kubickova grabbed a career-best 8.60 and Pippi Lotta Enok recorded 8.62.
The men's 60-meter hurdles followed, where Freshman Cameron Jackson and Austin Kiser both recorded 8.13, a new PR for Jackson.

Junior Olivia Lueking grabbed points for the Sooners with fourth place in the pole vault, posting at 4.30 (14-1.25) mark. Tessani Foster registered a 3.80 (12-5.50) vault.

Jenna James recorded 1:23.03 and Kailynn Jackson clocked a new PR of 1:24.18 in the women's 600 yard prelims.

Three Sooners posted new personal bests in the women's 60-meter prelims. Amanda Obijiaku recorded 7.38, Oklahoma's best finish on the night. Alexis Williams clocked a 7.39 time and Kennedy Crutchfield earned 7.66.

Gage Hensey recorded 1:11.36 in the men's 600 yard.

Cementing herself at No. 8 in Oklahoma indoor history, Jayda Gibson ran a personal best in the women's 400m prelims, clocking 53.99. Freshman Sidney Kinnison also ran a PR, registering 56.53 and Nia Parks recorded 56.00.

Richard Johnson ran for 50.00 in the men's 400m prelims.

Indoor school record holder Fernando Morales recorded 2:27.04 in the men's 1000m.

Reigning Big 12 indoor pentathlon title holder, Pippi Lotta Enok leaped to 6.23 (20-5.25) in the women's long jump for fourth. Jasmine Akins grabbed the Sooner's next best finish with a 6.03 (19-9.50) mark. Agur Dwol tallied 5.45 (17-10.75) and Victory George registered 5.44 (17-10.25).

Junior Nikaoli Williams scored points for the Sooners with a 7.55 (24-9.25) mark in the long jump for sixth place. Anthony Riley recorded a 7.25 (23-9.50) leap.

Men's pole vaulter Hilton Green grabbed more points with seventh place, registering a 5.23 (17-1.75) tally. Colton Rhodes jumped for 4.93 (16-2).

To close out sprints, Alexis Williams clocked a personal-record 23.69 time, the tenth-best time in OU indoor history. Amanda Obijiaku ran a PR 23.96 and Jada Atkinson also earned a new PB, recording 24.04. Alyia Green recorded 24.88.

Ben Ryer grabbed the Sooner's best finish in the men's weight throw with a PR 19.55 (63-1.75) toss. Bayley Campbell registered 19.46 (63-10.25).

In distance, freshman Thobias Cheruiyot grabbed a career-best 13:56.12 men's 5000m time. Cheruiyot now sits at No. 4 on OU's all-time performance list.

The men's and women's distance medley relay closed out the night for the Sooners. The women's team recorded 11:45.35 and the men's squad registered 9:46.77.

Results from the Big 12 Indoor Championship can be found via PT Timing. A live stream of day two will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ starting at 11 a.m. CT.

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