SHAWNEE – The Oklahoma Baptist men's and women's track and field team opened the 2022 outdoor season as hosts of the OBU Invitational, earning top placings in multiple events during the two days.
In the women's action, the 4x100 relay team of Tahlor Brown, Dawnnae Chatman, Anisha Henderson, and Kendalyn Stueve claimed first place honors with a time of 47.71. Meanwhile, the 4x800 foursome of Caitlin Mertz, Adeline O'Connor, Kaylen King, and Taylor James took top honors at 9:49.40. Additionally, the 4x400 team took first place in 3:51.31.
Chatman's day was not finished as she placed second in 100 meters (12.24) and third in the 200 meters (25.03).
Taylor James won the 400 meters in 56.54, followed by teammates Addison Brooks (57.69) and Tizhane Brooks (58.19) at the two and four spots.
Freshman Addison Brooks earned first place honors in the 800 meters to lead a trio of Bison placing in the top-five. Brooks crossed in 2:17.51, while Taylor James (2:20.09) and Kaylen King (2:24.35) claimed second and fourth.
Emma Downing posted two first place finishes, earning the top spot in the 1500 meter run (4:55.08) and the 5000 meter run (17:45.20).
Mary McKey wraps up the women's running events with two first placings in the 100 meter hurdles (14.81) and the 400 meter hurdles (1:01.95).
Emily Julian, Anisha Henderson, and Jade Byrd took first place honors in their respective field events. Julian earned first in the pole vault (3.65), while Henderson led the long jumpers with a 5.53 meters mark. Byrd hurled the discus 42.06 meters for the top placing.
On the men's side, Shirvante Knauls first place finish in the 400 meters (47.95) highlighted a special day for OBU. Freshman Aaryn Anderson claimed second in the 110 hurdles (14.90), while Carson Kardokus took second in the 1500 meters (4:03.50).
Kardokus also earned the highest placing for the Bison in the 5000 meters, crossing in 16:15.49.
Maxamillian Wheeler had the best day in the men's action, winning the 3000 meter steeple chase (9:24.21) and the 1500 meters (3:56.79).
Wrapping up the running events was first place finishes from the 4x100, 4x400, 4x800 relay teams. The 4x100 relay team of Mahcoe Smith, Jax Holland, Jai Moore, and Shirvante Knauls broke the all-time facility record time with their 40.69 finish.
Anthony Phillips, Caden Martin, Alexander Schovanec, and Matthew Higdon won their field events. Phillips claimed first in the pole vault with a mark of 4.57 meters, while Caden Martin leaped 13.11 meters in the triple jump. Schovanec hurled the discus 47.40 meters, and Higdon outdid his competition with a 56.52 mark in the hammer throw.
Oklahoma Baptist will return to action on Saturday, April 2, as they'll travel to Arlington for the UTA Invitational.
