COLLEGE STATION, Texas- Stephen F. Austin’s track and field team traveled to the Charlie Thomas Invitational to take part in their first meet this month. The invitational was hosted by the University of Texas A&M. SFA took home four first place finishes in a small but very competitive field.
Nathan Kapel continued his dominant first season as a collegiate runner, with his first-place finish in the men’s mile. Kapel grabbed his second first-place finish this season with a time of 4:12.88. He currently holds the Stephen F. Austin school record in the mile.
Jackson Parrish also grabbed a first-place finish for the men. He notched a time of 1:51.63 to claim the top spot in the 800m.
The men’s first place finishes were capped off by their distance medley relay. Nathan Kapel, Blake Hyatt, Miguel Escamilla, and Devon Judelson combined for a time of 10:11.65 to win the relay.
“We took a giant leap forward this week and we’re carrying great momentum into our final regular season weekend, next week”, said Head Coach Robert Hansen.
Rachel Taylor was the lone first-place finish for the women. She grabbed the top overall spot in the women’s mile, with a time of 5:04.16. Kennedy Swann finished third in the women’s 200m with a time of 24:42. That time now places her second overall in the WAC.
Cyan Green and Breyunna Dowell both placed fourth and fifth respectively, in the women’s weight throw. “The way Bre and Cy were battling and engendered to huge PRs and the best series’ of their careers was inspiring”, said Coach Hansen. Both the men and women’s throwers had good showcases this weekend. Breyunna Dowell, Cyan Green, and Sultan Bakare all threw massive personal bests.
“We had athletes finishing races hard and aggressive and it was great to bring home some wins. I’m proud of this whole team and expect to sustain this intensity into the WAC championship in a little over two weeks”, said Coach Hansen.
SFA’s next opportunity to compete will come on February 9th when they travel back to Houston, Texas. This time Stephen F. Austin will be taking part in the Howie Ryan Invitational that will be hosted by the University of Houston.
By: Jace Green, Assistant for Strategic Communications