SAN MARCOS/AUSTIN, Texas – Northwestern State sprinters finished the weekend on a high note as personal bests fluttered about at the Texas State Bobcat Invitational.
Six Demons posted personal records, including freshman Simon Wulff, who tied for the 100 meter event win with a 10.34 in a 2.3 tailwind. Fellow winner Dominck Yancy of Texas State ran his 10.34 in a 3.0 wind.
Wulff led a host of 100 meter records as third-place Tre’Darius Carr (10.38), 10th-place Evan Nafe (10.48) and 16th-place Dylan Swain (10.64) also ran their fastest.
Kie’Ave Harry added a season-best 10.45 to finish seventh as three Demons finished in the top 10.
“Wulff, Harry and Nafe ran the 4×100 at the Texas Relays, and they literally hopped out of the van and went to run the 100 at Texas State,” said NSU sprints coach Adam Pennington. “So for those guys to post those times, especially with Wulff going in the 10.3s – he’s really excited about that.
“And Carr had a bit of a wake up call today, too, and he responded with a personal best.”
After blazing an 11.47 at the Texas Relays earlier in the weekend, Lynell Washington finished the 100 meters in 11.57 to win the Bobcat Invitational.
Washington was joined in the top four by Aarika Lister, who clocked an 11.83.
“Lynell has had a bit of a mental block with the injuries, but she’s working through it really well right now,” Pennington said. “She came in and competed and won it today.
“Lister is coming off an injury with no practice time, so for her to run 11.8 for two straight days, that shows how much she wants to compete.”
The personal bests continued to roll in for a pair of freshmen in the 400 meters.
Maygan Shaw lowered her 400 time to 55.53 to place eighth followed by Janiel Moore (57.43, 17th).
Male freshman Galen Loyd sprinted to a third-place finish with a 47.55.
“I told Maygan that if she drew Lane 1 not to run because it’s a tough lane to run a good time,” Pennington said. “But she ran anyway and got a personal best. She does what we ask her to do.
“Galen ran a 46.6 split on the 4×400 relay, and after he did that, he had a different mentality. He came in with some confidence, and it showed in his 400 race today.”
Harry, Wulff and Nafe jetted over from the Texas Relays, where they ran legs of the 4×100 relay with Destine Scott that clocked a 39.70. NSU finished behind two professional teams in a stand-alone heat, but the Demons did beat a Texas foursome.
Nikaoli Williams, who ran a 10.65 earlier in the individual 100 meters, joined Carr, Arrington and Swain to clock a 40.14, placing third at Texas State.
“The relay that reached the NCAA Championship finals started that season with a 39.6, so these guys ran the second opening time to start a season that I’ve been a part of,” Pennington said. “And I think the B team time of 40.14 will be a top-40 time in the country after this weekend and would have set plenty of other Southland Conference schools’ program record.
“We’re really deep in the relays, and I’m pretty pleased overall with what happened today.”
PHOTO: Ron Pierce
