Wind Challenges Track & Field Teams

STEPHENVILLE, Texas - The men's and women's track & field teams had more than just other teams as competition at the Tarleton Relays on Tuesday afternoon. The gusting winds posed significant challenges for the Pirates in all events.

A small women's team made the trip but took advantage of the opportunity to compete against schools from higher divisions. In the 1500 meter run, Kara Koinis finished in 20th place overall with a time of 5:27.33 while Taylor Critendon was hot on her heals to finish in 21st in a time of 5:27.60. Jillian Curran came in 27th after finishing in 5:40.03 in the event. Curran posted a 19th place finish in the 5000 meter run with a time of 21:31.47.

In the field events, Katherine Rodgers and Jessica Morales competed in the shot put and discus throw. Rodgers took 9th and 12th respectively with tosses of 7.18m and 23.40m while Morales came in 10th and 13th with throws of 5.95m and 13.40m. Morales' shot put distance was a season best. 

On the men's side, Paden Williams and Lando Duarte came in one, two in their flight of the 800 meter run and placed 10th and 12th, respectively, overall in the event. Williams finished in a time of 2:05.55 while Durate posted a time of 2:06.53.

Both Southwestern runners posted lower times than their seed time and season bests in the 100 meter dash. Zach Anglin finished in 11.72 for 22nd place while Ryan Huiszoon came in 12.10 for 24nd. The duo also competed in the 200 meter dash. Anglin took 24th with a time of 23.96 and Huiszoon in 27th in a time of 24.70, another season best.

Sam Martinez posted a top 10 finish in the 1500 meter run. His time of 4:19.37 earned him tenth place overall. Williams finished in 17th with a time of 4:26.56 in the event.

Joseph Quintero had a big day in field events for Southwestern, setting a new SU record in the discus with a throw of 30.93 meters which also earned him 14th place in the event. He posted an even higher finish in the shot put, however, with a throw of 10.61 meters for 10th place.

The 4x100 relay of Anglin, Huiszoon, Alex Sheppard and Duarte took six place in a season best time of 46.34. Sheppard also competed in the 110 hurdles and finished in 16.71. Other finishes for Southwestern were that Philip Davis finished in 18:59 in the 5000 meter run, the 4x400 realy of Anglin, Sheppard, Williams and Duarte took eighth place with a time of 3:44.14.

Southwestern has time to recover as they have over two weeks to prepare for thier next meet, the Victor Lopez Classic at Rice University on March 23.