University Star

The Texas State track and field team battled wind and gloomy skies at the Texas Invitational last weekend in Austin. 

James Johnson, sophomore sprinter, said the wind played a big factor in the athletes’ performances.

“Getting off the bus and feeling all the wind, we knew it was going to be a hard meet to run in,” he said. “Peoples’ minds weren’t in the right place from the start, so that’s why the meet wasn’t as good as it should have been.”

Coach Dana Boone said she expects her athletes to perform well and adapt under any conditions.
“I don’t accept excuses,” she said. “It’s windy — it’s outdoor track and field so it is what it is. Everybody else had to run under the same conditions.”

Although the Bobcats struggled with the weather, the team still managed to secure several top-five finishes.

The women’s team led the Bobcats with three gold medals. Chante’sean White dominated the hurdles once again, earning first place among collegiate athletes.

White finished 1:00.64 in the 400-meter hurdles and stands as the top athlete in the Southland Conference for her event. She also ran with the women’s mile relay team, which came in 3:45.19 to take first place.

The team consisted of White, Katie Miller, Kellie Trinkaus and Hayley Helfenbein, who took the place of Morgan Canty. White reflected on the season and thinks the team is getting closer to their goals.

“I’m really proud of myself and proud of my team,” she said. “I feel like we’re getting ready and we’re getting to the position that we want to be in for conference.”

Also for the women, Jalisa Hall had a stand-out performance in the javelin throw. The Texas Invitational was Hall’s first time competing in the javelin this season, yet she managed to steal first place. She landed the throw in 36.54 meters.

Boone said Hall and other field athletes had the best results.

“The field events were the best,” she said. “The hammer throw, the discus- and we had some good shot-puts and some good vaults.”

Hall finished second in the hammer throw with a new personal record of 52.96 meters, which placed ahead of teammate Kelsey Titzman, who finished third.

The men’s team recorded no top finishes, but had several Bobcats earn second place. Logan Cunningham, junior All-American pole-vaulter, came in second with 5.32 meters for a new outdoor personal best.

On the track, Michael Morris also reached a new personal best in the 3,000-meter run, placing second. Carter Nell, senior, was the final man to earn silver when he threw the javelin 56.81 meters.

The track and field team will continue to practice this week as they inch closer to the Southland Conference Tournament Championship, two meets away.