MORGANTOWN — In a highly competitive field at the Marty Pushkin Invitational hosted by West Virginia University, the West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) track and field team turned in a dominant performance across both track and field events.
Senior Leigha Hall stole the show in the Women’s 5000m, cruising to a commanding win with a time of 17:26.94, setting the tone for WVWC’s distance squad. Joining her was Lindsey Dillon, who finished a strong 8th (18:42.47), while Taylor Hess (19:36.40) and Madison Looker (21:10.98) rounded out a solid team performance in the distance classic.
On the men’s side, Anthony Sanders unleashed a commanding performance to take the Men’s 5000m crown in 14:58.21, outkicking a deep field. Close behind, Kent Niland (15:27.14), Evan Pyles (15:29.83), Christian Cimaglia (15:53.04), Elijah Hannig (16:29.56), and Landyn Sell (16:40.54) made sure Wesleyan had one of the deepest squads on the track.
Hall pulled double-duty, coming back for a 4th-place finish in the Women’s 1500m (4:54.83). Freshman Lindsey Dillon showed her range, placing 10th (5:03.56), signaling a bright future.
In the men’s 1500m, Sanders doubled back impressively for 5th (4:07.87), followed closely by Pyles (8th – 4:15.27) and Cade Robinson (9th – 4:15.40).
In the 800m, Robinson returned to clock 2:01.19 (11th), and Cimaglia added to his distance resume in 29th (2:12.33).
The men’s 100m dash was a Bobcat sweep, with Taiwo Babawale-Thropp blazing to first in 10.84, followed by teammates Lucas Anderson (2nd – 11.02) and Royell Salmon (4th – 11.21).
Wesleyan put an exclamation mark on the 200m, claiming the top three spots: Babawale-Thropp (1st – 21.85), Anderson (2nd – 22.14), and Salmon (3rd – 22.46). Gavin McKnight added a solid 7th place (22.97), making it a complete sprint showcase.
In the Women’s 100m, Ayanna Woods ran a swift 12.84 for 7th, then followed up with a 27.63 in the 200m (8th). Eden Williams also contributed with a 27.77 effort.
Marquis Trainer placed 2nd in the Men’s 110m hurdles (16.29), and returned for a 4th-place finish in the 400m hurdles (1:00.14). Reese Farquharson (3rd – 1:00.09) and Nate Hulver (12th – 19.82 in 110H) rounded out a tough Bobcat hurdles crew.
For the women, Jorden Golden and Taryn Veltri placed 2nd and 5th respectively in the 400m hurdles, while Lesho Kristina and Addie Elliot went 8th and 9th in the 1500m steeplechase.
The Bobcat throwers also made noise:
Jack Ingram and Brian Valiente threw big in the Men’s Hammer, placing 1st (47.11m) and 2nd (46.16m).
In the Javelin, Peyton Slider soared to 6th with 47.44m, joined by teammates Nathan Roemer (11th – 41.44m) and Nate Hulver (13th – 39.74m).
Mallory McGinnis (5th – 34.21m) and Chloe Cox (11th – 30.38m) scored in the Women’s Discus, while Cliodhna Collins added 13th (29.69m).
In Shot Put, McGinnis placed 4th (11.51m), and Collins (16th – 9.79m), Jacqualin Leaman (18th – 9.72m), and Brown, Jazmyn (32nd – 7.85m) contributed depth.
Leaman also threw 42.43m in the Hammer to claim 7th.
