LYNCHBURG, Va. – Led by several season best performances, WKU Track and Field wrapped up day one action at the 2024 Conference USA Indoor Championships.
The Hilltoppers were led by Graduate Transfer Netanya Linares who managed a third place finish in the pentathlon, finishing in the top five in four of the five events.
"We had a good first day," said associate head coach Anthony Acklin.
"We had a lot of men and women step up with personal or season best performances. We have an opportunity to score in multiple events tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing the group in action tomorrow."
The women's team managed 13 total points, finishing up in fifth place following day one action. Eight of the 13 total points came from the pentathlon. The men's team claimed eight points with five of those coming from an outstanding showing from the men's DMR team.
On the women's side in the ring, Ajla Basic led the way, claiming her third top five finish of the season in the weight throw, taking fifth. Aitana Safont Falomir recorded a new season best in the weight throw, throwing an even 16 meters. In the pole vault, Grace Turner finished in the top-10, clearing 3.68 meters.
On the men's side, the Hilltoppers managed four finals qualifications for Saturday. The group is highlighted by Julian Klenner who notched top five finishes in both the 200 and 400, setting a new season best in both races. Brunel Desinor also qualified for the 400 meter finals, setting a new season best time of 48.97, good for eighth place.
In the ring, Kaison Barton demolished his previous season best in the weight throw, besting his previous best by nearly two meters, tossing 18.57 meters, claiming sixth. Hunter Coslow also added a season best in his, finishing up in 11th (16.15 meters).
Saturday will be highlighted by the high jump, men's 200 and 400 finals, 3000 meter race, and the 4x400 meter relay. Events will get underway at 11 a.m. CT. The meet can be streamed on ESPN+
How to Follow XC/Track and Field: For complete information on WKU XC and T&F, follow the team on Twitter at WKUXCTF. The team is also on Instagram and Facebook
FRIDAY RESULTS
* Denotes Final Qualification
Men's Results
60m
14th – Kameron Horton – 6.93
60 Hurdles
6th – Kameron Horton – 8.14*
200m
4th – Julian Klenner – 21.28*
9th – Brunel Desinor – 21.56
400m
4th – Julian Klenner – 48.41*
8th – Brunel Desinor – 48.97*
5000m
12th – Jared Sandfoss – 15:40
DMR
4th – Western Kentucky – 10:33
Weight Throw
6th – Kaison Barton – 18.57 (60-11)
11th – Hunter Coslow – 16.15 (52-11 ¾)
12th – Connor Owens – 16.08 (52-09)
13th – Luke Stegman – 15.54 (50-11 ¾)
Women's Results
60m
12th – Dreeanna Wade – 7.62
60 Hurdles
12th – Gianna Huerta – 9.19
200m
17th – Dreeanna Wade – 25.13
5000m
15th – Kynzlei Bassett – 19:03
DMR
8th – Western Kentucky – 12:40
Pole Vault
9th – Grace Turner – 3.68 (12-00 ¾)
13th – Sophia Roskoski – 3.68 (12-00 ¾)
17th – Natalie Papes – 3.53 (11-06 ¾)
Weight Throw
5th – Ajla Basic – 17.98 (58-11 ¾)
18th – Aitana Safont Falomir – 16.00 (52-05 ¾)
Pentathlon
3rd – Netanya Linares
7th – Rachel Payne
60m Hurdles
2nd – Netanya Linares – 8.83
7th – Rachel Payne – 9.38
800m
2nd – Netanya Linares – 2:27
6th – Rachel Payne – 2:34
High Jump
4th – Rachel Payne – 1.67 (5-05 ½)
5th – Netanya Linares – 1.61 (5-03 ¾)
Long Jump
4th – Netanya Linares – 5.55 (18-02 ½)
11th – Rachel Payne – 5.01 (16-05)
Shot Put
6th – Netanya Linares – 10.34 (33-11)
13th – Rachel Payne – 8.46 (27-09)
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