FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Indiana Tech's quest for two more WHAC Championship trophies got off to a good start on Friday evening at the
Doug Edgar Indoor Track in Fort Wayne. The Indiana Tech men lead by 27 points while the women lead by 21.5 going into Saturday's finale.
The Indiana Tech men are on a quest for their 11th straight title, while the women are trying for their 13th crown in the last 14 years.
The first points of the evening were scored by the women's 4x800 team of
Haven Evans,
Krista Boese,
Olaide Olapade, and
Lisa Voyles who broke the school record on their way to a first place finish in 9:20.25. The previous mark (9:23.12) was set back in 2014. It also moves them to the top of the NAIA as their time converts to a quicker mark since it was run on a 200m flat track. Indiana Tech is also ranked #1 in the nation in the distance medley relay.
Carlie Turner and
Juanita Webster-Freeman went 1-2 in the women's long jump, with both of them moving into the top five in the nation. In all, Indiana Tech took six of the eight scoring marks with
Anajah Gomillia (4th),
Katlyn Jones (5th),
Trishelle Ganaway (6th), and
Naiyae Evans (8th) also earning points.
Tayvahr Wright picked up a win and grabbed an NAIA "B" mark in the men's high jump at 2.01m.
Shomari Somerville finished 3rd at 1.96m.
Mason Murphy won the shot put (14.18m) and finished 3rd in the weight throw (16.03) to cap an impressive day for Tech throwers.
Webster-Freeman, the national leader in the shot put, easily won on Friday in 13.75m. LaTarsha Moore finished 4th.
Noah Schultz,
Victor Rodriguez, and
Drennan Sorrell helped the team effort with a 2-3-4 finish in the men's pole vault.
Deneara Mboug finished 2nd in the women's weight throw at 15.84m. That mark is an NAIA "B" and improves her all-time #2 mark. Hayley Thompson finished 4th and Victoria Todd grabbed 8th.
The short sprinters and hurdlers made sure Tech will have their say in Saturday's finales. Four Warriors will go to the finals in both the men's and women's 60 hurdles and men's and women's 60m.
In a non-scoring exhibition, the pride of Xenia, Ohio,
Korissa VanOver set a PR of 18:19.16 in the 3000m racewalk. It was the 2nd fastest time in school history.
Saturday's action will start at 1:00 pm.
