Red Raiders Wrap Regular Season

Friday, February 15

Lubbock, Texas

3:00 P.M.

Texas Tech Athletics

Matador Qualifier

February 15, 2019 | Track and Field

Final Results Texas Tech Performance List

Tech’s focus turns to Big 12s after Matador Qualifier proves a good tune-up.

By: Jeremy O'Brien

LUBBOCK, Texas –The Red Raiders concluded the regular season Friday with eight personal records as well as a few marks that could wind up as national qualifiers.

Tech had several good showings on the track. Tiffani Johnson won the 60m with a 7.36. The senior, who currently sits fourth in the Big 12, took over sixth in program history with the time. She already owns the fourth-best mark at 7.34, which she set earlier in the season.

The Red Raiders took up half of the field in the finals of the 60m hurdles and were led by Rose Njoku, whose winning time of 8.25 made her third in the conference. Kaylor Harris ran an 8.48 in the finals to place second. Kyla Glenn fourth with an 8.65, and she was closely followed by Alaysha Johnson, who ran an 8.70.

Pole vault looked solid for Tech on both the men's and women's side. Drew McMichael jumped his highest of the season, clearing 18 feet for the first time this season. The senior went 18'-0.5" (5.50m) to jump into the top-16 nationally, putting himself in a position to make the national meet.

"I jumped 5.50m last year at the same time at this same meet," McMichael said. "I was really chasing that PR, but it was a good meet for me. I'm not satisfied because I wanted that extra mark, but it set me up well for Big 12s and I'm happy with it."

Chloe Wall went over 14 feet for the first time in her career, topping at 14'-0" (4.27m) to win and make herself one of just five Big 12 vaulters to clear 14 feet this season.

Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Wes Kittley expressed his happiness with the continued improvement of the vaulters.

"It was a really good day for Chloe and Drew," he said. "I really hope it gives them a chance to make the national meet, but more importantly they are improving every week."

Tech's throws staff looked good as well as they continue to prepare for conference. Duke Kicinski won both the shot put and weight throw with marks of 60'-4" (18.39m) and 59'-2.25" (18.04m), respectively. Braden Darrow PR'd in the shot put with a third-place mark of 54'-3.75" (16.55m). On the women's side, Seasons Usual tossed a 59'-2.75" in the weight throw to win.

The distance crew was yet another strong point of the Matador Qualifier, accounting for two wins and a handful of personal bests. Kaitlyn Irving began the meet right away with a win in the mile, going for a PR 5:29.33. She was joined in victory by Nokuthula Dlamini, who won the 1000m with a 2:54.56. Dlamini was followed in the 1k by Jessica Gallardo (2:57.03) and Lauren Offerman (2:57.23), who placed third and fourth, respectively. Kyra Young ran in the 800m, also picking up a PR with a 2:17.81 en route to a third-place finish.

The focus for the Red Raiders now turns to the Big 12 Championships, which will be hosted in Lubbock Feb. 22-23. Tickets for the Championships may be purchased by day or as a package here.