Yellowjackets Record Podium Finishes at Darren Young Classic

GRINNELL, Iowa — The Graceland University men's and women's indoor track and field teams recorded several top-three finishes Friday and Saturday at the Darren Young Classic hosted by Grinnell College. The Yellowjackets were led by podium performances in the men's 60 meters, men's 200 meters and pole vault, along with strong results from the women's throws group.

Men's Highlights

Sophomore Tael Jean led Graceland on the track. Jean qualified out of the 60-meter prelims with a time of 7.06 and returned in the final to place second overall in 6.98 seconds. Jean finished behind only Hadley Beaty of Cornell College and was the top NAIA finisher in the event.

Senior Brice Taylor added a third-place finish in the 200 meters. Taylor crossed in 22.46 seconds, finishing third in the final. Taylor also competed in the 400 meters and placed 11th in 51.73, giving Graceland scoring depth in the sprint group.

In the field events, junior Caden Israel placed second in the pole vault, clearing 12 feet, 9.50 inches. Israel was one of two athletes to clear 12 feet in the competition.

In the throws, junior Luke Hass recorded a mark of 38-0.00 in the weight throw, finishing 34th. In the shot put, junior Ross Stephens led Graceland with a throw of 37-8.50, placing 24th.

Graceland's top men's performances came from Jean, Taylor and Israel, who combined for two top-three finishes and a runner-up result.

Women's Highlights

The women's team was led by the throws group, where Amanda Newton and Kady Vandemark delivered the strongest performances of the meet.

In the women's weight throw, Newton placed second with a mark of 49-03.50, while Vandemark finished third at 48-08.25. Newton and Vandemark accounted for two of the top three finishes in the event.

Newton and Vandemark returned in the shot put, where Newton placed third with a throw of 39-01.00 and Vandemark finished fourth at 38-06.75. The pair secured top-four finishes in both throwing events.

Newton recorded two top-three finishes across the weekend, while Vandemark finished in the top four in both events. Their performances marked the top results on the women's side for Graceland.

On the track, sophomore Nya Glenn competed in the 60-meter prelims and posted a time of 9.57. Glenn also ran the 200 meters and finished in 32.43.

Head Coach Tom Shore emphasized the importance of consistency as the Yellowjackets approach the conference championship.

"Amanda Newton and Kady Vandemark competed well in both throwing events," Shore said. "Tael Jean and Brice Taylor gave us strong efforts on the track, and Caden Israel added a solid performance in the pole vault. We are focused on carrying that consistency into conference."

Graceland returns to competition on Friday, Feb. 20, at 9 a.m. CST at the Heart of America Conference Indoor Championship. The meet will be held at the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse in Maryville, Missouri.

For more information on Graceland indoor track and field and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.