Smith breaks school record, Pride earn six individual winners at Tadd Metzger Invite

KENOSHA, Wis. - Clarke University track and field came away with six individual winners and a new school-record in Saturday's Tadd Metzger Invitational on the campus of Carthage University.

A few weeks removed from breaking the 60-meter dash school-record, Gavayne Smith has broken the school record in the 55-meter event by finishing with a time of 6.53 seconds. That time was good enough to give him first place for the event and 10 team points overall for the men. Finishing in third place in the same event was fellow freshman Camden Foesch, as he crossed the finish line in 6.64 seconds

Finishing in second place and joining fellow teammate Brody Deitering in being Nationally Qualified in the heptathlon was junior James Vandun. Vandun is the fifth member of the men's track team to be qualified to run in Brookings.

Winning another men's high jump event was freshman Tyler Kell who improved on last week's mark by clearing 1.89 meters. Also winning a jumping event was freshman Elijah Douglas who earned 10 points in the men's triple jump by hitting a mark of 12.53 meters.

After finishing in fifth last week, Timothy Miller was able to secure an individual win in the men's pole vault by clearing 3.75 meters. Competing and winning the 1000-meter race was sophomore Kole Haverly who earned his points by running a 2:38.42.

Finishing in third place in the men's 600-meter race was Kain Sourbeer who crossed the finish in 1:31.03 to secure six points for the Pride.

On the women's side, Allena Rowland continues her dominate effort since transferring to Clarke as she won the 1000-meter race by finishing in 3:12.03. Finishing right behind Rowland was sophomore Rory Bickler who raced a 3:12.05.

The Pride had multiple ladies get team points in the pole vault competition as Emma Grant finished second by clearing 3.27 meters. Grace Squires finished in fifth and earning four points. Autumn McLaughlin placed in seventh and earned two points. Also, Malia Beich placed in eighth to earn a point.

Emma Terwische competed in the women's long jump and the triple jump. She placed fifth in long jump by jumping 4.93 meters and placed second in the triple by hitting a mark of 10.33 meters.

Sophomore Sydney Norman placed third in the women's high jump by hitting a mark of 1.50 meters.

The Pride women and men 4x400 relay team had a successful event, as they finished first and second. The women relay team consisting of Jaycie Franco, Allena Rowland, Rory Bickler, and Gwen Bottom crossed the finish line in 4:22.39. The men relay team consisting of Kole Haverly, Bryce Kondos, Carson Sansenbach, and Elijah Douglas finished in 3:39.34.

Pride track and field will travel to Platteville, Wisconsin next Saturday, February 11th for the UW-Platteville Invite.