Men's Track Takes on GPAC Conference Championship

MITCHELL, SD - Last weekend the Warriors competed in the Great Plains Athletic Conference Indoor Championships in Mitchell, South Dakota. 12 warrior athletes had the opportunity to compete. Head Coach Jana Langrell was very pleased with the team's performance at their first GPAC conference meet. 

"I'm proud of how our athletes competed in their first ever GPAC Indoor Track Championship. It was an extremely competitive meet and I loved seeing how some of our athletes rose to the challenge."

Junior Eliza McKown had a great showing as she has continued to progress throughout this season. In the 600 meters she placed 3rd and claimed a brand new school record with a time of 1.35.90. This time was her claim to an All-Conference performance. In the 1,000 meters she placed 2nd and also broke her previous school record with a time of 3.00.78. "Eliza had an incredible day, becoming our first GPAC all conference athlete," said Langrell. 

Sophomore Marissa O'Connor competed in the 800 meters and finished with a time of 2.28.08. This time put her in the Waldorf record books at 2nd All-Time. Freshman Isaiah Cote competed in the 1,000 meters and finished 16th overall. He was also the third fastest freshman in the event. 

"Marissa had a fantastic performance in her 800, and Isaiah executed his race plan beautifully," said Langrell. 

Senior Danielle Wood competed in the 5,000 meters and finished 15th overall, she also doubled back to anchor in the 4x800 only 35 minutes after her gauntlet of a run. Junior Jeaceajay Jappah competed in and finished 12th overall in the multi and set a new personal best in the Men's Heptathlon of 3859. 

Coach Langrell commented, "Danielle has one of the best attitudes and is such a team player. Not many athletes would be able to do that double with that short of a recovery time. Jeaceajay had a solid showing in the multi. While some of his events did not go as he hoped, he improved immensely with the pole vault and ran a tough 1,000m."

As for relay events, Brandi Peck, Gemma Jasso, Alexa Torres, and Danielle Wood competed in the Women's 4x800 meters and claimed a new school record with a time of 11.26.32. Torres, O'Connor, Peck, and McKown competed in the Women's 4x400 meters and finished with a time of 4.16.59.

Isaiah Cote, Blayson Dolney, Brunelson Dominique, and Cody Mayer competed in the Men's 4x800 meters. Lastly, XZayvier Horton, Sunel Fernandez, Robert Beal, and Blayson Dolney competed in the Men's 4x400 meters and finished with a time of 3.28.59.

"Our men's 4x400 team ran with an immense amount of heart. It was so exciting to watch them compete and battle it out. With such a young team, I know we have a lot of room for improvement and I cannot wait to see what they can accomplish outdoors," exclaimed Langrell. 

The NAIA Indoor National Championships will take place February 27th in Gainesville, Florida.