Bison Open 2020 With Strong Outings

SHAWNEE – The Oklahoma Baptist University men's and women's indoor track teams were in action this weekend. Half of the team traveled to Fayetteville Arkansas for the University of Arkansas Invitational and the other half went to Edmond for the University of Central Oklahoma Open. Between the two, the Bison brought home seven first place finishes and 11 other top five finishes.
 
On Friday, half of the indoor track and field team was invited to the University of Arkansas Invitational. 17 Bison participated in the day's events. Brandon Crowley, Tarees Rhoden, and Cameka Witter were the top performers for the Bison, having placed first in their respective events. Crowley captured the top spot in the men's 60m hurdles with a time of 7.98 seconds. He finished just .01 seconds faster than Tre'Bien Gilbert of the University of Arkansas. Rhoden took the top spot in the men's 600m having finished with a time of 1:18, beating out Lesley Mahlakoane of the University of Arkansas by .89. Witter also finished in the top spot in the 600m having finished with a time of 1:33.96, .84 seconds fast than Oklahoma State's Maddie Salek. "This was a tough track and these three helped our teams earn some respect," said Head Coach Ford Mastin.
 
On Saturday, the second half of the indoor track and field team came into Edmond and delivered a strong performance. Emily Julian, Evelyn Carswell, Isabella Lotz, and Saleem Fadel all finished with top marks. Carswell dominated the high jump with a collegiate personal best jump of 1.72m.  "A provisional qualifying mark for Carswell that puts her ranked #7 among D2 and more than likely will punch her ticket to D2 Indoor Nationals," said Coach Mark Heard. Julian recorded a personal best for the second meet in a row and her first collegiate victory in the pole vault as she cleared 3.44m. She beat out second place finisher Kaylee Packer by .54m. Lotz captured first place in the 60m hurdles with a time of 9.11 seconds. Fadel blazed to a win in the weight throw, with a toss of 16.80m. He finished a whole two meters ahead of second place medalist Kystel Spinks.
 
Up next, both the men's and women's team head to Pittsburg, Kansas for the Pittsburg State Invitational. The meet is scheduled to take place Saturday, February 1^st.