The University of Central Arkansas track and field teams achieved notable results at the Washburn Open and Multi meet in Topeka, Kansas, on Saturday. The Bears broke six school records on the second day of competition, bringing their total to eight records for the entire meet. The teams also secured 35 top ten finishes on day two, with a total of 57 across both days.
Head coach Josey Weaver commented on his teams’ efforts over the weekend. “We challenged our team to show up with passion and effort this weekend; they answered that call and then some,” said Weaver. “I’m incredibly proud of our men and women for arriving ready to compete and get after it. We’re leaving this meet having broken eight school records, something that has never happened here during my time. Even more impressive, school records were set across every event group.”
On day two, Sloan Jones set a meet record in the 60m hurdles event of the men’s heptathlon, finishing first. Nathan Uptagrafft placed fifth in that event with a time of 8.41 seconds.
In the pole vault segment of the men’s heptathlon, Uptagrafft took first place with a vault of 4.70 meters. Jones finished second at 4.60 meters, while Lance McNew was third at 4.20 meters. Alexander Anderson came in fifth (4.00m), and Levi Dugger placed sixth (3.80m).
Uptagrafft went on to win the overall heptathlon title, setting a school record with 5,288 points. Jones finished second with 5,233 points; Dugger was seventh and Anderson eighth.
Zoe Williams broke an indoor women’s 60m hurdles record that had stood for nearly 14 years during the semifinals with a time of 8.57 seconds before improving her mark to 8.45 seconds in the finals to finish third.
Brenae Allen set a new school record in the women’s 60m dash semifinals at 7.36 seconds; Raghan Allen, Danyelle Poole, and Troynelle Miller also qualified for finals where Miller finished fifth (7.51s).
Keirstin Moore won the women’s pentathlon long jump with a meet record distance of 5.74 meters; Madisyn Crandall was ninth (5.44m).
Jeremiah Boudreaux placed third in the men’s 60m hurdles final (7.90s). Byron Holt followed in fourth (8.05s), Xavier Simpkins was fifth (8.06s), and Christian Brown took eighth (8.28s).
Gabriel Torres reached seventh place in the men’s 60m dash final (6.83s). Jack Dingman finished sixth in the men’s one-mile run (4:04.95).
In field events, Jaden Schneeberger was fourth in men’s shot put (16.61m) while Eli Jones came tenth (15.47m). In women’s shot put events not mentioned directly but implied by context as part of team performances.
Raghan Allen and Brenae Allen finished closely together in sixth and seventh place respectively during the women’s 400m run.
For long jump events: Brayden Burris placed seventh among men (6.97m), Maverick Walker was tenth (6.83m), Karis Martin placed fifth among women (5.60m).
Abby Machesky took eighth place in women’s 800m run (2:15:05).
Bailee Villavaso improved her own school record in women’s pole vault by clearing 4.02 meters; Ansley Drake cleared 3.57 meters for fourth place while Mallory Whitaker matched that height for tenth.
Joia Perry surpassed her own previous mark to break both facility and meet records in women’s weight throw at 20.42 meters—good enough for first place—while Joy Nance was second (18:30m), Serena Degollado fifth (16:35m), Jane Musengwa ninth (15:47m).
Coach Weaver added praise for his athletes’ achievements: “Our athletes deserve all the credit,” Weaver said of the incredible performances.”They’ve set some lofty goals as we keep our focus toward the ASUN Championships.”
The Bears are scheduled to compete next Saturday at Fayetteville’s Woo Pig Classic.
