The University of Wyoming track and field team had a strong showing on the first day of competition at both the Don Kirby Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the Husky Classic in Seattle, Washington, News Letter Journal reports.
The Cowboys and Cowgirls recorded 10 personal bests, two program Top-10 marks, and a world-best weight throw performance.
Senior thrower Daniel Reynolds delivered a historic performance in the weight throw, breaking three records—the Wyoming program record, the Mountain West record, and the world two-turn weight throw record. His throw of 81’ 1 1/4” (24.72 meters) ranks as the ninth-best throw in US history and the fourth-best in collegiate history, coming within six inches of the NCAA lead this season.
Freshman Charles LaFore also had a standout day, setting a Wyoming freshman record in the weight throw with a personal-best mark of 63’ 6” (19.35 meters).
In the women’s long jump, freshman Taliah Morris leaped to a personal-best distance of 19’ 3 1/2” (5.88 meters), ranking seventh in Wyoming indoor history.
On the men’s side, senior Kareem Mersal finished fifth in the long jump with a mark of 24’ 10” (7.57 meters).
On the track, multiple Wyoming athletes achieved personal bests. In the women’s 200-meter unseeded race, freshmen Megan Witkiewicz (25.18), Madeline Thorne (25.24), and Lily McDowell (25.39) all recorded career-best times. Freshman Logan Brown also secured two personal records in the 200-meter (22.41) and 400-meter (49.81).
In Seattle, distance runners also made history. Senior Ryker Holtzen recorded a personal-best time of 7:55.27 in the men’s 3,000-meter, placing second in Wyoming program history. Junior Jacob White followed closely behind with a time of 7:55.70.
Senior Gus McIntyre made Wyoming history in the 5,000-meter run, finishing seventh with a time of 13:58.69, the fourth-best time in program history.
On the women’s side, senior Kylie Simshauser ran the 5,000-meter in 16:37.41, finishing 23rd overall, while graduate student Marina Trave Ferrer completed the race in 17:03.85.
Competition continues on Saturday, with Wyoming athletes set to compete in the women’s 60-meter hurdles prelims at the Don Kirby Invitational and the men’s and women’s mile races at the Husky Classic.
