Courtesy of WKU Athletics
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – WKU Track & Field earned three individual titles at the PNC Bank
Bellarmine Classic, highlighted by another record-breaking performance by Katie
Isenbarger. In addition to the high jump title, Devon Montgomery won the men’s pole
vault while Ajla Basic claimed first place in the women’s weight throw.
Overall, the Hilltoppers claimed 15 top-five finishes across the entire meet.
“Katie was outstanding again today,” said Director of Cross Country/Track & Field
Brent Chumbley. “Another PR, win, facility record, school record and she moved to
eighth on the NCAA performance list. Devon also got a win in pole vault with a
personal best and the fourth best in program history, and Ajla won the weight throw.
There were some other bright spots but overall, I thought we were a little flat
today. Next week will be our final tune-up before conference.”
In her second meet of the season, Isenbarger entered the high jump with only one
other competitor still standing. She ultimately cleared 1.83m (6′) to win the event
and claim a new program record for the second consecutive week. Her new collegiate
PR mark of 6-foot is tied for eighth-best on the NCAA Indoor Performance List for
this season. Isenbarger is just an inch shy of her best mark from high school at
6-1.
On the men’s side, Devon Montgomery cleared the fourth-best indoor pole vault height
in program history to win the event at the Bellarmine Classic. He recorded a height
of 4.66m (15′ 3.5″), clearing the bar on his first attempt of that height and the
two prior. It’s his indoor personal best and first official height of the season.
Basic was able to take home the women’s weight throw title after throwing 17.75m
(58′ 3″). She owns the sixth-best mark in the league with her throw at last week’s
Lenny Lyles Invitational. Joining her with top finishes in throws were Aitana Safont
Falomir (Third in Weight Throw), Ines Lopez Arias (Fourth in Shot Put), Kaison
Barton (Second in Shot Put) and Brett Brannon (Third in Weight Throw).
Out of the distance group, sophomore Lucy Rutherford stood out as she finished third
in the women’s 3k with a personal best time of 10:09.36. The new mark moves her into
the top 10 in Conference USA times in the 3,000-meter run.
“When you get to see the work someone puts in daily, you hope they can put their
potential into their performances,” said assistant coach Brooks LeCompte. “That
doesn’t always work out, but when it does, it’s very gratifying as a coach.
Outsiders only see the results; we get to see the process. Lucy Rutherford is one of
the most naturally gifted runners I’ve ever coaches, and I know her potential.
Today, we got to see a glimpse of it. I know she is one of the top runners in C-USA
without a doubt, and she ran an amazing race today. We had some other good
performances today, but hers stands out.”
Both freshmen Trey Kraimer and Jordan Eddy logged personal bests in the 800 while
Collin Pruitt added his own in the men’s 3,000-meter.
In the group of male sprinters, Steven Simmons picked up second-place in the
60-meter dash and fifth in the 200 while Cedric Johnson notched a personal best in
the 60-meter hurdles to place second. Jaden Warner also recorded a PR in the
60-meter to finish sixth.
WKU will have one final tune-up ahead of the C-USA Championships. The Hilltoppers
are scheduled to travel to Birmingham for the Samford Bulldog Invite at the
Crossplex on February 11-12, the same site of the championships.
Women’s Results
High Jump
1st – Katie Isenbarger – 1.83m (6′)* – new program record
Pole Vault
10th – Grace Turner – 3.35m (10′ 11.75″)
12th – Nikki Ogorek – 3.20m (10′ 6″)
15th – Allison Ferguson – 3.05m (10′)
Heather Gaughran – NH
Shot Put
4th – Ines Lopez Arias – 11.58m (38′)
Weight Throw
1st – Ajla Basic – 17.75m (58′ 3″)
3rd – Aitana Safont Falomir – 17.16m (56′ 3.75″)
4th – Tayelor Thrasher-Walker – 16.00m (52′ 6″)
9th – Mary Claire Redden – 12.64m (41′ 5.75″)
10th – Rachel Flinchum – 12.44m (40′ 9.75″)*
Ilana Anderson – NM
800m
7th – Madeline Powell – 2:22.65*
14th – Abigail Green – 2:28.79*
Mile
14th – Jenna Vaughn – 5:24.49*
31st – Heather Whitlow – 6:31.48
3000m
3rd – Lucy Rutherford – 10:09.36*
19th – Mary Dye – 11:08.34
20th – Maddy Hurt – 11:14.51
Men’s Results
Pole Vault
1st – Devon Montgomery – 4.66m (15′ 3.5″)* – fourth best in program history
Shot Put
2nd – Kaison Barton – 16.02m (52′ 6.75″)
5th – John Elam – 15.17m (49′ 9.25″)
Weight Throw
3rd – Brett Brannon – 16.92m (55′ 6.25″)
6th – John Elam – 15.99m (52′ 5.5″)
7th – Joel Dittoe – 15.58m (51′ 1.5″)
11th – Kaison Barton – 14.40m (47′ 3″)
60m
2nd – Steven Simmons- 7.01
6th – Jaden Warner – 7.05*
60m Hurdles
2nd – Cedric Johnson – 8.48*
200m
5th – Steven Simmons – 22.39
8th – Jaden Warner – 22.89
800m
3rd – Trey Kraimer – 1:58.10*
4th – Jordan Eddy – 1:58.82*
Mile
12th – Keegan Barnette – 4:33.83
3000m
17th – Keegan Barnette – 8:52.87
23rd – Will Perrone – 9:06.38
25th – Collin Pruitt – 9:10.91*
26th – Miles Huff – 9:16.28
*denotes collegiate PR
Comments