SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Kansas State’s track and field team posted a strong start to its outdoor season as the Wildcats recorded three first-place finishes and numerous athletes set new personal bests as the UTSA Invitational came to a close in San Antonio on Saturday.

 

Overall, the women’s team finished in sixth place with a team score of 91 points, while the men’s team also recorded a sixth-place finish with 68 total points.

 

On the track, senior Sonia Gaskin won the women’s 400 meter dash with a time of 55.37 for her first win of the outdoor season.

 

The women’s ‘A’ relay team of Gaskin, Ranae McKenzie, Keiteyana Parksand Tia’ Gamble also recorded a first-place finish at the meet with a time of 3:42.90.

 

K-State had three women finish in the top-five of the 200 meter dash. McKenzie took third place with a time of 24.00, Gamble took fourth with a time of 24.28 and Parks finished in fifth place with a time of 24.51.

 

In the field, sophomore NaTron Gipson recorded a first-place finish in the men’s high jump with a mark of 2.05m/6-08.75 for his first victory of 2016. Fellow high jumper Rhizlane Siba finished tied for third place in the event with a jump of 1.67m/5-05.75.

 

Long jumpers Shardia Lawrence and Zanri Van der Merwe also recorded top-three finishes with marks of 5.71m/18-09.00 (5.2) and 5.65m/18-06.50 (5.0), respectively. Senior Alyssa Kelly also finished in the top-three in triple jump, finishing in second place with a leap of 12.13m/39-09.75 (5.5).

 

Thrower Brett Neelly also finished in the top five of the men’s shot put field, finishing in fourth place with a throw of 17.68m/58-00.25.

 

Over the course of the entire competition, K-State recorded a total of six first-place finishes in its first outdoor competition of 2016.

 

K-State returns to action next weekend as it competes in the Emporia State Open in Emporia, Kansas on Saturday.

 

Josh Brunner, Graduate Assistant, Athletic Communications