Reivers Sweep ICCAC Region 11 Championships
It was a historic weekend for the Men's and Women's teams as both were crowned team champions. The Women's team won 15 out of 20 events contested to run the table scoring 266.5 points to outdistance 2nd place Iowa Central 165 and Indian Hills 102 to round out the top 3 teams.
Calleisha Chance was a double event champion, winning the high jump in 1.65m and the long jump in 5.87m. Jayla Brown hit a national qualifier in the long jump to finish 3rd with a 5.66m. Teammate Mercy Honesty continued her undefeated season winning the triple jump with a 12.09m. Baylee Horner defended her pole vault title from 2023 Indoor and Outdoor with another title with a collegiate-best of 2.65m
Sarai Simpson won the shot put in 14.54m leading a 1-2-3 finish followed by teammates Chinloy Raymond at 13.67m and Natalie Albert at 11.47m. Albert went on to win the weight throw in 15.47m.
On the track, Kaylia Kelly set a facility record in the 200m to win with a 24.40. Ethel Amissah won the 400m in 56.70 and followed that up with a 3rd place in the 200m.
Judith Koumedzina lowered her Togo National record winning the 60m in a personal best of 7.52. Tanique Taylor won the 60m hurdles posting a personal best of 8.73.
Angeline Estrada was a double event champion in the 600m 1:39.38 and 1000m 3:05.56. Barbara Nieva also was a double event champion winning the 800m in 2:20.30 and the 5000m in 20:57.89. Sien Van Vuuren won the mile in 5:07.02.
On the Men's side there was a dominant performance as well with the Men outlasting scoring 253 Indian Hills 184 and Iowa Central 180.
Paul Rowden won the high jump with a 2.10m performance. OT Omot punched his ticket to nationals in the high jump with a season-best of 2.00m. Cory Vaughan Jr. won the triple jump with a 14.57m. Denzs Simmonds won the shot put throwing 17.41m.
On the track, The Men's 4x800m of Herschbach, Chappell, and Heffernan ran 8:04.10 to win gold. Mohammed Kowa ran 1:54.32 to win the 800m. Barnabas Ndiwa led a 1-2-3 finish in the 5000m running 14:44.49. Teammates Victor Kiprop and Geoffry Ronoh were 2nd and 3rd respectively. Michael Francois was the lone sprint champion winning the 400m in 48.55.
The men's heptathletes posted 2-3-4 finishes led by Brandon Calmese 2nd in 4400, Marenono Opiew 3rd 4168, and Marcus Edan 3939. Calmese moved to #15 in the nation. Calmese also finished 3rd in the pole vault in 3.20m.
The Reivers will send a strong contingent to Gainesville, Florida March 1-2 for the NJCAA Indoor Championships held at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center at Celebration Pointe. Last indoors, the Men finished 3rd and the Women 5th. The Men will come into the meet ranked #2 and the Women 3rd in the USTFCCCA team rankings.