Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Texas Tech Invitational
Tech Showcases Talent at Final Home Meet
April 22, 2011 | Track and Field
April 22, 2011
LUBBOCK, Texas - The No. 3 Red Raiders and No. 15 Lady Raider's track and field program showcased its talent at the Terry & Linda Fuller track by winning 12 titles at the Texas Tech Open.
"We have had tough meets and this meet gave us a chance to relax at home in front of a good crowd," head coach Wes Kittley said after the meet. "I think we accomplished what we wanted to accomplished and competed well."
The hurdle crew highlighted the meet for the Red Raiders and Lady Raiders. The women's school record was set for the second time this season. Katie Grimes ran a 13.21 to break Kelsey Lloyd's school record and also set a Terry & Linda Fuller Track record in the process. Her time is a personal best and ranks her in the top 20 of the NCAA.
In his last race in a Tech uniform at the Terry & Linda Fuller track, Omo Osaghae ran a new personal best. The senior ran a wind-aided 13.18 to win the race. Brandon Tucker also ran a personal best with a wind-aided 13.58 to place second.
"I was really proud of Katie Grimes and the way she ran her race," Kittley said after the race. "Omo Osaghae ran another great race and I love his consistency."
Ifeatu Okafor threw a personal best in the shot put. The sophomore won with a mark of 55'-5" (16.89M) that will move her to No. 10 in the NCAA. Okafor turned around in the discus and threw a personal best of 176'-5" (53.77M) which will put her into the top 15 of the NCAA. Kelly Closse was second in the discus with a throw of 172'-1" (52.45M).
Texas Tech had four finish in the top five of the men's 400M. Gil Roberts won with a 45.81 for his second-straight meet title. Latoy Williams placed third with a season best of 46.68 for fourth, while Shane Brathwaite crossed the line in fourth with a 46.97. Zach Plinario was in fifth with a season best of 46.98.
Candace Jackson and Taylor Evans finished second and third, respectively, in the women's 400M. Jackson ran a personal best of 52.60, while Evans ran 53.45 for third.
"Candace is using her 200M speed now in the 400M and looking really strong," Kittley said after the race.
Bryce Lamb won the men's long jump with a mark of 26'-00.25" (7.93M). It is his second-straight meet title.
Terra Evans and Tara Thomas placed first and second in the women's 200M. Evans ran a 23.59 while Thomas cruised to a 24.04.
Julian Wruck threw 191'-8" (58.41M) to finish in second in the men's discus to Jason Young. Young, who competes for Nike as a strength and conditioning coach at Texas Tech, threw 205'-11" (62.76M).
Devin Bailey won the women's 800M with a 2:12.25 and her teammate Kearci Jobe finished in third with a 2:15.96.
Ryan McDowell placed second in the men's 400M hurdles with a 54.36. Jamie Simanek crossed the line in fourth in the women's 400M hurdles with a 1:06.28.
The Red Raiders ran the 4x100M relay for the first time this season. Markus Henderson, Taheric Brantley, Zack Neely, and Ryan Pease ran a 40.87 to win the race.
The women's 4x400M relay of Tiffany Hines, Meshawn Graham, Thomas and Bailey won with a time of 3:43.67. The men's 4x400M relay followed the women's accomplishment. Plinario, Brathwaite, Pease and Henderson won with a time of 3:16.30.
The Tech track and field teams will head to the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Penn., and the Payton Jordan Invitational in Stanford, Calif., next weekend.
Players Mentioned
