JOPLIN, Mo. -- Led by a career outing from freshman sprinter Katalina Chan, the John Brown University track and field produced 19 program top-10 performances across two days of competition at the Missouri Southern State Lion Open inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Friday and Saturday (Feb. 6-7).
Freshman Katalina Chan led the way with four individual program top-10 marks, including a program-record 25.64 in the women's 200 meters. Chan also ran 7.99 seconds in the 60-meter preliminaries, the second-fastest time in program history, before clocking 8.01 in the finals for the third-best mark. She added another top-10 performance in the women's 400 meters, winning with a time of 1:00.68 that ranks second all-time.
"The women gave us a lot to be proud of this weekend, not just in the results, but in how they competed and supported one another," head coach Peter Cunningham said. "Katalina had an outstanding meet with multiple program records, and she continues to stay hungry while having a lot of fun doing it. Nikki continues to raise the standard for our program, and Emma's performance in the 600-yard run gives us real confidence as we continue to chase national qualifying standards before the end of the indoor season.
"What stood out just as much was the resilience we saw across the group. Nadia showed exactly what that looks like — facing discouragement early, choosing to stay engaged and believe, and turning that into a season-best performance and a finals appearance. Some athletes left feeling great, others were frustrated, but the work ethic and attitude of this group never waver. That's what makes this team special, and we couldn't be more proud of them."
Senior Maci Hubbard and freshman Edith Bell also cracked the program's all-time 400-meter list, with Hubbard placing fourth in 1:03.07 (ninth all-time) and Bell finishing eighth at 1:03.39 (10th all-time). Sophomore Clare Barger rounded out the JBU contingent with a 10th-place finish in 1:04.45.
Junior Emma Morton won the women's 600 yards with a time of 1:31.47, the second-fastest mark in program history.
The women's 800 meters saw senior Emma Morton place fourth with a time of 2:29.97. Sophomore Camryn Chaffin finished seventh, clocking 2:38.16.
Four Golden Eagles competed in the women's mile, led by freshman Anna Claire Orr's second-place finish in 5:39.87. Sophomore Tori Calder placed sixth at 6:14.14, followed by freshman Brianna Vargas in seventh (6:18.57) and senior Naia Shepherd in eighth (6:28.83).
Sophomore Paige Andrews placed fourth in the women's 3,000 meters with a time of 11:32.15, the seventh-fastest in program history. Shepherd also competed in the 3,000 meters, finishing 10th in 13:48.73.
Senior Nikki Basye competed in the 60-meter hurdles, running 11.11 seconds in the preliminaries for the fifth-best time in program history.
Freshman Nadia Clark recorded program top-10 marks in two throwing events, placing fourth in the shot put with a throw of 11.88 meters (38 feet, 11.75 inches) that ranks ninth all-time. Clark also competed in the weight throw, recording 11.23 meters (36 feet, 10 inches) for the eighth-best mark in program history.
On the men's side, senior Matthew Cook set a program record in the 600 yards, placing second with a time of 1:15.88.
Freshman Emerick Wilson competed in the 60-meter preliminaries, running 7.27 seconds.
Senior Hayden Landers ran 59.65 in the men's 400 meters.
Three Golden Eagles competed in the men's 800 meters, with freshman Ian Sustaita Garcia placing eighth in 2:00.97. Junior Zach Briscoe ran 2:04.03, while freshman Landry Finch clocked 2:08.60.
Junior Chase Schermer placed fourth in the mile with a time of 4:28.59, the ninth-fastest in program history. Freshman Daniel Ogomo finished 10th, recording 4:45.45.
Sophomore Sam Burkett won the men's 3,000 meters in 9:00.68, the seventh-best time in program history.
The men's 1,600-meter relay team of freshman Silas Tugwell, Briscoe, junior Henry Zedler and freshman Luke Preedy placed third with a time of 3:44.44, the fifth-fastest mark in program history. The distance medley relay squad of Burkett, Sustaita Garcia, Cook and Schermer also finished third, clocking 10:34.87 for the second-best time in program history.
In the field events, sophomore Noah Osterloh set a program record in the triple jump with a mark of 13.39 meters (43 feet, 11.25 inches) to place fourth. Tugwell also competed in the triple jump, finishing seventh with a leap of 12.98 meters (42 feet, 7 inches) that ranks third all-time. Tugwell added a program top-10 performance in the high jump, clearing 1.76 meters (5 feet, 9.25 inches) for 10th place and the fourth-best mark in program history. Osterloh also competed in the long jump, placing 10th with a mark of 6.28 meters (20 feet, 7.25 inches), while Tugwell finished fifth at 6.76 meters (22 feet, 2.25 inches).
"We saw some really encouraging steps forward and a lot of momentum building," added Cunningham. "Silas opening his collegiate career with a personal record in the long jump, qualifying for finals and placing after time away from the sport, speaks volumes about his work and mindset. Matthew's performance in the 600-yard run was a big confidence boost and a strong indicator of his current fitness.
"Noah's result in the triple jump was especially meaningful after a challenging start to the season. He has stayed committed through some tough breaks, and to see that dedication rewarded was exciting for our entire staff. We believe there are bigger performances still ahead for him, and overall, this group continues to buy into the process and take steps in the right direction."
The Blue and Gold return to action next weekend (Feb. 13-14) at the Arkansas Tyson Invitational inside the Randal Tyson Indoor Track Center in Fayetteville.
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