NASHVILLE, Tenn. – WKU Track & Field, aided by strong veteran performances, wrapped up day one of the first meet of the 2024 season Friday at the Commodore Challenge hosted by Vanderbilt.
The day saw multiple top-five finishes for the Red and White. Julian Klenner took home third place in the 300 meter dash. On the distance side, Kynzlei Bassett finished up in third in the 5000 meter race.
On the day's performance, Head Coach Brent Chumbley said "Overall very happy with today. We kept up with winter training and were ready to compete. Connor, Emilia, Wade, and Julian had really strong numbers."
"Rachel Payne may have had the best first day. She ran a big PR in the 600 and jumped very well in the HJ. Rachel put in a lot of great work over the summer and during the fall. She really impressed me today so we expect more during the season."
Payne led the charge in the women's 600 with a PR of 1:43, good enough for a 15th place finish. The junior also added a high jump of 1.55 meters, placing seventh.
Graduate transfer Emilia Lesniak led the Hilltoppers in the high jump, finishing in sixth place (1.72m).
Newcomer Connor Owens led the way for the throwers on the men's side. The Montgomery native scratched the top ten in the weight throw finishing ninth and hitting 17.15 meters. Ajla Basic notched a top-15 finish in the women's weight throw, placing 11th with a distance of 17.70 meters.
The Tops will wrap up their first meet of the season when the Commodore Challenge concludes Saturday. The meet will resume at 10 a.m. CT, and the meet can be viewed on SECN+. Live results can be viewed Here.
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MEN'S RESULTS
300m
3rd – Julian Klenner – 34.90
25th – Zackery Martinez – 36.72
600m
13th – Wade Balcom – 1:22.56
19th – Jordan Eddy – 1:25.52
High Jump
15th – Nick Fornoff - 1.84 (6-0 ½)
9th – Connor Owens - 17.15 (56-3 ¾)
10th – Kaison Barton – 16.86 (55-3 ¾)
16th – Luke Stegman – 15.34 (50-4)
Pole Vault
16th – Jackson Tweed – 4.33 (14-2 ½)
NH – Devon Montgomery
WOMEN'S RESULTS
600m
15th – Rachel Payne – 1:43.77
19th – Netanya Linares – 1:48.93
20th – Morgan Moore – 1:53.07
1000m
27th – Arielle Phillips – 3:26.03
3rd – Kynzlei Bassett – 19:42.70
High Jump
6th – Emilia Lesniak – 1.72 (5-7 ¾)
8th – Grace Turner – 1.66 (5-5 ¼)
High Jump (Unseeded)
7th – Rachel Payne – 1.55 (5-1)
Long Jump
14th – Haley Zell – 5.02 (16-5 ¾)
Weight Throw
11th – Ajla Basic – 17.70 (58-1)
