Graceland Indoor Track and Field Posts Season Bests at Cyclone Open

AMES, Iowa — The Graceland University men's and women's indoor track and field teams competed at the Cyclone Open hosted by Iowa State University on January 23 at the Lied Recreation Center. The Yellowjackets entered multiple athletes in sprint and mid-distance events as part of a critical midseason test ahead of conference championships.

MEN'S RECAP

Graceland's men's program produced measurable results in the 60 meters, 400 meters, and 600-yard run.

In the 60-meter dash, sophomore Tael Jean recorded the top time among Yellowjackets, placing 14th overall in preliminaries with a time of 7.05 seconds, narrowly missing advancement to finals in a field led by multiple NJCAA and NCAA Division I entries.

Two additional Graceland athletes also recorded official marks in the event: freshman Cole Milks and sophomore Garrison Allen each finished with identical times of 7.54 seconds, tying for 61st overall. Sophomore Caleb Chunn and sophomore Kaeden Monday were listed as did not start (DNS) in their respective heats.

In the 400 meters, senior Brice Taylor delivered the Yellowjackets' strongest performance of the meet, clocking 51.14 seconds, placing 18th overall. His mark came in one of the event's final sections and registered as a season best.

Sophomore Payton Miller added a 37th-place finish in the 400m, running 54.29 seconds, while Monday was listed as DNS in the 200 meters.

Graceland fielded three entries in the 600-yard run, each of whom completed the race. Freshman Bradley Harris led the Yellowjackets in 1:19.15, followed by junior Fidher Ramirez in 1:25.47, and junior Logan Mace in 1:31.69.

WOMEN'S RECAP

The Graceland women's team entered athletes in the 60-meter dash, 200 meters, and 400 meters.

In the 60-meter dash preliminaries, sophomore Kevia Pettus finished 46th overall with a time of 9.41 seconds. The field included more than 40 athletes, and Pettus was the lone Graceland entrant in the event.

Pettus returned in the 200 meters, joined by sophomore Nya Glenn and senior Christine Burke. Glenn ran 31.74 seconds, Burke posted a time of 36.14 seconds, and Pettus did not finish the event in her section. No Graceland women recorded DNS designations in the 200 meters.

In the 400 meters, junior Grace Testerman competed in the final section of the event, recording a mark of 1:12.83, placing 26th. She was Graceland's sole entry in the 400m and completed her race without penalty.

Graceland did not field competitors in the mid-distance or distance events and did not enter athletes in field events on either side during this competition.

NEXT MEET

Graceland University indoor track and field will return to action on Saturday, January 31, at the Grinnell College Invite. Events begin at 9:00 a.m. CST inside the Charles Benson Bear Recreation and Athletic Center in Grinnell, Iowa.

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