FAYATTEVILLE, Ark.—The Northwestern State track & field teams posted eight personal records, highlighting a successful first day at the Tyson Invitational.
Maygan Shaw and Sanaria Butler ruled for the women in the women’s 400-meter final. Against top competition around the country, the pairing held their own. Shaw’s time of 54.15 placed 18th in the event, but her time ranked fifth in program history in the indoor 400-meters and the top time for an athlete not named Natashia Jackson.
Shaw also topped the Southland Conference top mark, which was set by herself.
Butler, a freshman from Port Arthur, Texas, slotted right behind her teammate with a 54.65 time, ranking 24th out of 47 finishers. That mark also was better than Shaw’s previous conference-best this indoor season.
“Many of our athletes had a great day against great competition,” Heimerman said. “Shaw and Butler stole the show for sure. It was a very impressive day for those two youngsters. I’m very pleased and happy with today’s performances. I am looking forward to tomorrow as we round up this challenging meet.”
The top four and seven of the top eight finishers in that event came from the host school University of Arkansas. Rosey Effiong, who won the event, set a meet record with a time of 51.02.
In addition to the eight personal records, four more Demons or Lady Demons earned season bests.
On the men’s side in the 400-meters, Destine-Unique Scott ran a season-best time of 47.53, placing 26th. Galen Loyd also captured a season best time with a 49.33.
Lynell Washington earned eighth place in the 60-meter qualifier with a time of 7.41. In the prelims, she posted a time of 7.46, which slotted her in 13th place.
Coming off a strong effort at the Pittsburg Invitational, Aarika Lister had another strong performance, placing 12th with a time of 7.49.
In the women’s 60-meter hurdles qualifier, Orsciana Beard posted a season best with a time 8.96, while Jessica Pitcher (9.10) and Carolin Bielert (9.58) each posted personal bests.
On the men’s side, Dylan Swain and Kavacion Webster each finished inside the top 25 out of 41 finishers in the 60-meters. Swain (6.86) placed 24th and Webster (6.87) finished 25th.
John Klein earned a personal record in the 3000-meters, recording a time of 8:58.92, placing 26th.
In the field, freshman Adam Lindo posted a personal record in the men’s long jump final with a distance of 23-6.25, placing ninth.
Diamante Gumbs posted a season-best distance of 58-4.5 in the men’s weight throw final. The throw was his second-best toss in his NSU career.
To begin the day for NSU, Carolin Bielert earned a personal record in the women’s long jump final with a distance of 17-4.25, placing 23rd in the event.
Bernesha Knowles also earned a personal record in the women’s weight throw final with a toss of 50-4.5, placing 23rd.
The track teams are back at it for the final day of the meet before Southland Conference Championships, beginning Feb. 26.