The Butler track & field team was at full strength on Saturday at the Pittsburg State Invitational and they showed it as 23 mores tickets were punch to the NJCAA Indoor Championships.
"I believe this was one of our best weekend's that we have ever had since I have been at Butler," said head coach Dustin Mettler. "Distance had a strong showing with four new qualifiers and of course our sprints teams just dominated again."
Meet highlights:
Xavier Atkins wins the 60 meter dash, again, for the third straight week. He continues to improve his time as he ran a 6.70 on Saturday. Teammates Jeremy McDowell and Mark Doyle also made the finals in the 60 meter dash and finished 6th & 7th running 6.79 & 6.82.
Tard Smith Jr. beat his previous personal best in the 60 meter hurdles running an 8.14, his previous best was an 8.31. the 8.14 is the 10th fastest time in the NJCAA.
Linesha Thompson had the highest finish on the women's side coming in 2nd in the 400 meter dash with a time of 56.60, a national qualifying time and the third fastest this season in the NJCAA. Thompson also came in 5th in the 60 meter dash running a 7.54
Michelle Sanchez finished 19th in the 5000 meter run but knocked a minute off her personal best. She ran a 18:38.52, the 6th fastest time in the NJCAA this indoor season.
Shanique Masters and Zadie St. Louis finished 15th & 16th in the women's 800 meter run with times of 2:18.95 and 219.16. They are currently ranked 8th & 9th in the NJCAA this season in that event.
The women's Distance medley Relay team finished 5th at the meet running a 12:58.22, qualified for nationals and currently hold the 3rd fastest time in the NJCAA in that event.
Women's Results: Top 10 Finishers
Linesha Thompson- 2nd 400m dash, 56.60
Linesha Thompson- 5th 60meter dash 7.54
DMR (Zadie St. Louis, Morgan Cossey, Shanique Masters, Michelle Sanchez) 5th 12:58.22
Kaleb McDonald- 8th 200m dash, 24.89
4x400m relay (Kaleb McDonald, Shawnakay Peart, Ann Dangha, Linesha Thompson)- 9th 3:57.39
Men's Results: Top 10 Finishers
Xavier Atkins- 1st 60meter dash, 6.70
Tard Smith Jr.- 3rd 60meter Hurdles, 8.14
Judah Taylor- 4th 400m dash, 47.91
Baylor Hendren- 6th High Jump, 1.91
Jeremy McDowell- 6th 60meter dash, 6.79
Jeremy McDowell- 6th 200m dash, 21.48
Nick Taylor- 7th High Jump, 1.88
Mark Doyle- 7th 60meter dash, 6.82
Judah Taylor- 7th 200m dash, 21.55
Cardet Bienvenue- 9th 200m dash, 21.66
Arlon Williams- 10th 200m dash, 21.67
"All across the board it was a great meet," commented Mettler. "Our jumpers have a ton of talent but just haven't quite hit their stride yet but other than that I like where are team is right now."
The Grizzlies will head to Lincoln, NE for the Huskers Invitational where they will get to compete against athletes of all divisions.
"Being able to compete against other athletes at the Division I level really gives our kids a confidence booster. It shows them that they can run or jump with anyone at any level. Beating a four-year school gives these kids a lot of confidence," said Mettler.
New National Qualifiers:
Women:
Kaleb McDonald- 200m 9th NJCAA 24.89
Linesha Thompson- 3rd in 400 NJCAA 56.60
Michelle Sanchez- 5k 18:38.52 6th in NJCAA
DMR- 12:58.22 3rd in NJCAA
Men:
Jared Elcock- 60m 6.80 13th in NJCAA
Mark Doyle- 60m 6.82 19th in NJCAA
Ollie McGee- 6.86 29th in NJCAA
Arlon Williams- 6.87 60meter 33rd in NJCAA
Jeremy McDowell- 200 meter 21.48 10th in NJCAA
Judah Taylor 12th in NJCAA 200 meter 21.55
Cardet Bienvenue- 200 meter 21.66 18th in NJCAA
Mark Doyle- 200 meter 21.88 35th in NJCAA
Dillan Swain- 200 meter 21.88 35th in NJCAA
Judah Taylor- 47.91 5th in NJCAA 400 meter
Damon Brockenberry- 400 meter 48.61 15th in NJCAA
Agerian Jackson- 20th in NJCAA 48.70 400m
Cardet Bienvenue- 21st 48.72 400
Tarik Xavier- 22nd in NJCAA 800meter 1:57.37
Obadia Tanui- 9th in NJCAA 5k 15:13.67