By: Cody Wright
SPOKANE, Wash. – The top-ranked NCAA Division III west region Whitworth men's and women's track and field teams continued their strong indoor season with several big performances against high level competition at the Riverfront Invitational at the Podium.
The top ten finishes began on Thursday in the combined events. Jayce Palm finished fifth in the men's heptathlon and hit personal best marks in both the 60m (7.02) and shot put (12.53m). Emily Brown placed eighth in the women's pentathlon while setting a new personal record in the 60m hurdles (9.60).
Several Pirates performed well on the track on Friday and Saturday. Kezlie Thygesen led the women with a third-place finish in the 5,000 meters with a time of 18:37.93. Lily Jones added a PR in the mile.
On the men's side, London Haley finished seventh in the men's 5,000m (14:53.68), cracking the DIII top 50. Jack Ireton placed eighth in the 3000m with a time of 8:53.27 and Tommy Worth hit a new personal best (9:04.24) in 10th.
Highlights in the field included another strong showing for the women's shot put group. Kylie Loveless had the most impressive performance for the Bucs, setting a new personal record with a mark of 3.99m, seventh best in Division III. Amblessed Okemgbo placed fifth (13.83) and Madison Carr placed sixth (13.71) after her record setting performance last week.
Claire Nardella and Analia Avalos-McBain both finished top ten in the pole vault. Nardella set a new PR (3.30m) and finished sixth while Avalos-McBain placed ninth (2.85m). Briana Tira finished eighth in the women's high jump (1.58m).
Kaden Hooper highlighted the men's field events with a fourth-place finish in the long jump (6.45m). Luke McCorkle finished (6.08) in the same event.
The Pirates will host the Whitworth Indoor Invitational at the Podium on February 13th and 14th.
