Track and Field Opens Season With 10 National Qualifying Performances

Butler track and field opened its season running at the Friends First Chance Qualifier in Wichita and the Graduate Classic in Lincoln, Nebraska this past week.

The Grizzlies had impressive results throughout both meets, with 10 student-athletes posting times that qualified them for the NJCAA Nationals, held at the University of Florida on March 1-2.

The highlights included Eddy Vu running a personal record of 6.66 seconds in the 60m dash at Friends. He placed first and qualified for nationals as well as holding the second best 60m time in all the NJCAA. On the women's side, Kayveonna Jackson ran a 7.53 in the 60m dash at the Graduate Classic which qualified her for nationals. She also won the 200m dash in Nebraska, running 24.83 to qualify in that event as well. Both of her times in the 60- and 200-meter dashes are the third best times in the NJCAA. Vu and Jackson were each named KJCCC Track & Field Athletes of the Week as well as the White Eagle Credit Union Athletes of the Week.

1/11/2024 | Friends First Chance Qualifier | Held at Wichita State University | Hosted by Friends University

The Grizzlies littered the top finishers at the Friends First Chance Qualifier. Vu won the men's 60m, and the Grizzlies completely swept the top five with Andre Morrison (6.72), Jonathan Farinha (6.84), Nate Jones (6.89) and Nathan Farinha (6.90) rounding it out. Morrison also qualified for nationals with his time that ranks third in the NJCAA.

In the men's 600m, Abdelhakim Boukhiar won the race with a time of 1:22.82 followed by fellow Grizzly Soualah Yasser in second running 1:23.30. In the men's 800m, Isaiah Smith placed third running 2:04.53. Bhekizulu Thumalo won the men's mile, running 4:26.17 which qualified him for nationals and ranks second in the NJCAA this season.

In the 60m hurdles, Nasia Lee took second with a time of 8.15. Braylon Buchanan won the high jump with a mark of 1.91m which qualified him and is the fifth best jump in the NJCAA.

On the women's side, Jackson won the 60m with a 7.57. The next highest Grizzly finisher was Deslyne Cooper in seventh running 8.06. Keniya Dexter won the 600m race with a time of 1:41.10 to close out the Grizzly top performers in Wichita.

1/12-13/2024 | Graduate Classic | Held at Devaney Center Indoor Track | Hosted by the University of Nebraska

The Grizzlies competed well against stout competition at the University of Nebraska.

Morrison placed second in the men's 60m finals running a 6.75. Jonathan Farinha (21.35), Morrison (22.17) and Vu (22.22) swept the top three of the men's 200m dash in an impressive race for Butler. V'ante Peoples placed sixth running 23.15.

The men's 400m was more of the same as the Grizzlies had all three top finishers in Nathan Farinha (49.82), Michael Thomas (50.68) and Avindale Smith (51.15). Boukhiar placed third in the men's 800m running 1:54.51.

In the men's 60m hurdles, Lee placed third with a run of 8.08.

For the women, Jackson ran her 7.53 NJCAA top three time in the 60m, coming in second. She won the 200m with a 24.83.

Trishanie Warner came in second in the women's 400m with a time of 57.89, followed by Dexter in fourth running 1:00.68. Khloi Bird placed fourth in the women's 3000m, running 10:17.13.

The women's 4x400m relay came in second behind Nebraska's A squad. Butler's relay was made up of Ala'Jah Brooks, Dexter, Cooper and Warner and they ran 4:01.23.

National Qualifiers

Men:

Eddy Vu: 60m (6.66) at Friends U ranks 2nd in NJCAA

Andre Morrison: 60m (6.72) at Friends U ranks 3rd in NJCAA

Jonathan Farinha: 200m (21.35) at Graduate Classic ranks 4th in NJCAA

Abdelhakim Boukhiar: 800m (1:54.51) at Graduate Classic ranks 5th in NJCA

Yasser Soualah: 800m (1:55.01) at Graduate Classic ranks 7th in NJCAA

Bhekizulu Thumalo: Mile (4:17.30) at Graduate Classic ranks 2nd in NJCAA

Nasia Lee: 60m hurdles (8.08) at Graduate Classic ranks 5th in NJCAA

Braylon Buchanan: High jump (2.00m) at Graduate Classic tied for 4th in NJCAA

Women:

Khloi Bird: 3000m (10:17.13) at Graduate Classic ranks 1st in NJCAA

Kayveonna Jackson: 60m (7.53) at Graduate Classic ranks 3rd in NJCAA

Kayveonna Jackson 200m (24.83) at Graduate Classic ranks 3rd in NJCAA

NEXT UP

Butler will be at the Washburn Rust Buster hosted by Washburn University on Saturday, Jan. 20th. Live video and live results will be available and links can be found on the Butler track and field schedule page.