TOPEKA, Kan. – Little Rock closed out the Washburn Open with a strong showing across both days, highlighted by a school-record performance, multiple top-10 program marks, and personal bests as the Trojans continued to build momentum early in the indoor season.
Senior
JaDerrika Welch-Fields highlighted the weekend by tying the Little Rock school record in the high jump, clearing 1.70 meters during the pentathlon. Her mark matched the program record previously set by senior
Ragen Hodge. Hodge also added a fifth-place finish in the women's high jump later in the meet.
"I jumped 1.70 meters with joy and had fun attempting 1.73," Welch-Fields said. "I left the event with a smile on my face, and honestly, that meant the most to me. I know I have a lot left in store and can't wait to unleash it all," said Welch-Fields.
Freshman
Brian Nwugbana led the men's field events with an impressive fifth-place finish in the triple jump. His personal-best leap of 14.89 meters improved his previous mark by nearly half a meter and now ranks fourth all-time in program history.
On the women's side, freshmen
Jordan Morgan and
Naomi Johnson also made their mark in the triple jump. Morgan placed third with a jump of 11.75 meters, moving her into fourth on Little Rock's all-time list, while Johnson finished ninth at 11.34 meters, which ranks ninth all-time.
"This mark was a reminder of the work I've put in thus far," Morgan said. "I'm excited to continue progressing and working toward that one big jump."
The men's combined events group also had a strong weekend. Senior
Patrick Young and sophomore
Morcellous Harris opened the heptathlon near the top of the standings, sitting third and fifth, respectively, after the opening events. Harris highlighted the jumps by winning the long jump with a mark of 7.05 meters and later finished fifth overall in the heptathlon.
On the track, sophomore
Jeremiah Patton continued his strong indoor campaign. He placed 10th in the 200 meters with a time of 21.60, just outside the program's all-time top 10. Patton later qualified for the finals in the 60 meters and finished fourth with a time of 6.78. Sophomore
Braeden Bell also qualified for the semifinals in the 60 meters and narrowly missed advancing to the final.
In the women's sprints, senior
Takia Palmer and junior
Neveah Hill each advanced to the semifinals of the 60 meters. Hill narrowly missed a finals berth by just .02 seconds.
Freshman
Colter Maya continued to impress in the 400 meters, finishing inside the top 10 with a time of 47.51. The performance ranks second on Little Rock's all-time indoor list and was just shy of the school record.
Senior
Falon Short added another strong field event performance, placing second in the men's long jump with a mark of 7.31 meters, just .03 meters off his personal best. Seniors
Sutton Manatt (pole vault) and
Deshawn Roberts (high jump) each earned fourth-place finishes in their respective events.
Head coach
J.P. Behnke said the meet served as an important early-season test.
"Today was a little bit of a rust-buster for the group being our first competition after winter break," Behnke said. "We saw some great performances, but ultimately we are training through this meet and planning to be at our best in four weeks at the OVC Championship."
Full results from the Washburn Open can be found at
https://results.blacksquirreltiming.com/meets/60532
Little Rock will look to carry its momentum forward as the Trojans travel to Fayetteville, Ark., on Saturday, Feb. 7, for the Arkansas Woo Pig Classic.
For the latest information on Little Rock Cross Country/Track and Field, check out LRTrojans.com. You can also follow the team on social media at @LittleRockTFXC on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Get the latest Trojan news, including the weekly Trojan Report, delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for Little Rock Trojan E-News
here.
#LittleRocksTeam | #RockSolid
