Texas Tech University Athletics
Saturday, January 16
Lubbock, Texas
11:00 A.M.
Texas Tech Athletics
vs
Corky Classic
Tech Opens with Assault on World Leads, School Records
January 16, 2021 | Track and Field
Red Raiders take three world leads, break three school records in season opener.
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech's world-class track & field facility, the Sports Performance Center, has waited 10 months for action. Saturday, the Red Raiders gave it plenty.
Those tuned into the Corky Classic, Tech's one-day season opener, witnessed three world-leading performances to go with the breaking of three school records.
"It's been such a long time," said Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Wes Kittley. "I am so pleased overall with our first meet of the year. We had some really fantastic marks; school records, some big personal bests."
Without a doubt, the most incredible mark of the day came at the very beginning. Ruth Usoro, a two-time All-American and two-time Big 12 Champion in her first season in Lubbock last season, landed a staggering triple jump distance of 46'-10.25" (14.28m) on her very first attempt of the year. The mark came with several accolades, including the Nigerian national record and top spot in the world this year. It also counted as the second-farthest in NCAA history, behind only Georgia's Keturah Orji's 47'-8" (14.53m) set in 2018. Usoro's mark was an easy school record – by over two-and-a-half feet. It also counted as a facility record for the SPC. Later on, she would win the long jump with a mark of 21'-4.25" (6.51m) – also a meet record.
"I was really surprised when I saw it," Usoro said, referencing her triple mark. "I wasn't expecting it at this time. It's so early. I am just very thankful to God right now."
"Our jumps group has rated Ruth the undisputed best teammate on the planet," said associate head coach James Thomas. "It is fitting she is now amongst the very best performers in NCAA and Nigerian history. Moments like these allow all of us to feel unbelievably proud of her."
Not long after Usoro's ridiculous opening mark, Takieddine Hedeilli went for one of his own on the track. Hedeilli, who up until Friday was waiting on the NCAA's decision of whether or not to grant him one more season of indoor eligibility, broke loose for a blistering 1:45.98 in the 800m. The mark claimed the world #1 spot for him as well in addition to downing the school record, previously held by former Red Raider and current sprints assistant coach Zach Glavash.
"I have been working for this," said Hedeilli. "I have been waiting for this. I am very excited today."
The school records were still not safe. In the last event of the day, Gabe Oladipo launched the weight 71'-10.75" (21.91m) to break his previous record from last year by nine inches. Through eight meets as a Red Raider, Oladipo owns six program top-10 marks in the weight throw.
The third world lead of the day also came on the track via the legs of Courtney Lindsey. Lindsey, a JUCO national champion in the 200m from Iowa Central CC, was relentless in his Texas Tech debut. He started in the 60m, running the seventh-fastest time in school history at 6.59. Adjusted for altitude, the mark lands him third in the world this year.
He had more in the tank. An hour later, the Illinois native laced them up again for the 200m, his premier event. Lindsey busted out a time of 20.45, making him just the second person in the world to run sub-21 so far this season. The time placed him eighth in school history. Such strong marks in both the 60m and 200m confirmed the hype around him as a legitimate doubler at the Division I level.
Back in the throws area, Michigan State transfer Kayli Johnson swept the shot put and weight throw in her first meet in Lubbock. Johnson's shot put win was the first for a Tech athlete of the new season, coming via a final attempt mark of 51'-1" (15.57m). In the weight throw, she went 60'-6.5" (18.45m) for the win.
The high jump featured personal bests for each of Tech's top two finishers. Caleb Wilborn and Cale Kassen both claimed PRs after clearing 6'-10.25" (2.09m). They went out attempting what would have been Tech's first seven-foot clearances since 2019.
Elsewhere in the jumps, Jequan Hogan opened his year with a solid 50'-10" (15.49m) mark in the men's triple for the win.
Middle distance picked up another win for Tech in the 1000m, where Owen Likins started his Red Raider career off with a first-place 2:26.44. He was followed by a PR'ing Alfred Chawonza, who turned in a time of 2:28.78. Miler Edward Rush also claimed gold in his first collegiate indoor race, winning in 4:20.46.
Tech will continue its season Saturday with the Red Raider Invitational. The meet will begin at 11 a.m. and will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
Those tuned into the Corky Classic, Tech's one-day season opener, witnessed three world-leading performances to go with the breaking of three school records.
"It's been such a long time," said Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Wes Kittley. "I am so pleased overall with our first meet of the year. We had some really fantastic marks; school records, some big personal bests."
Without a doubt, the most incredible mark of the day came at the very beginning. Ruth Usoro, a two-time All-American and two-time Big 12 Champion in her first season in Lubbock last season, landed a staggering triple jump distance of 46'-10.25" (14.28m) on her very first attempt of the year. The mark came with several accolades, including the Nigerian national record and top spot in the world this year. It also counted as the second-farthest in NCAA history, behind only Georgia's Keturah Orji's 47'-8" (14.53m) set in 2018. Usoro's mark was an easy school record – by over two-and-a-half feet. It also counted as a facility record for the SPC. Later on, she would win the long jump with a mark of 21'-4.25" (6.51m) – also a meet record.
"I was really surprised when I saw it," Usoro said, referencing her triple mark. "I wasn't expecting it at this time. It's so early. I am just very thankful to God right now."
"Our jumps group has rated Ruth the undisputed best teammate on the planet," said associate head coach James Thomas. "It is fitting she is now amongst the very best performers in NCAA and Nigerian history. Moments like these allow all of us to feel unbelievably proud of her."
ON HER FIRST JUMP??
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 16, 2021
????'-????.????" (????.??????)
» Tied #1 in ??
» Nigerian record
» #2 NCAA history
» Facility record
» School record@UsoroRuth5 is unreal. pic.twitter.com/rGiVTzH0QP
Not long after Usoro's ridiculous opening mark, Takieddine Hedeilli went for one of his own on the track. Hedeilli, who up until Friday was waiting on the NCAA's decision of whether or not to grant him one more season of indoor eligibility, broke loose for a blistering 1:45.98 in the 800m. The mark claimed the world #1 spot for him as well in addition to downing the school record, previously held by former Red Raider and current sprints assistant coach Zach Glavash.
"I have been working for this," said Hedeilli. "I have been waiting for this. I am very excited today."
Waiver: ????????????????
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 16, 2021
Taki: ????????????
Hedeilli claims the ?? spot in the world and downs the school record with a blistering first half-mile of the year??
?? ??:????.???? ?? pic.twitter.com/hjPJNStITM
The school records were still not safe. In the last event of the day, Gabe Oladipo launched the weight 71'-10.75" (21.91m) to break his previous record from last year by nine inches. Through eight meets as a Red Raider, Oladipo owns six program top-10 marks in the weight throw.
Cap it off with ?????????????? record ??@ShowtimeGeee begins his year by breaking his own school record... again. pic.twitter.com/ToSzcUFRzR
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 16, 2021
The third world lead of the day also came on the track via the legs of Courtney Lindsey. Lindsey, a JUCO national champion in the 200m from Iowa Central CC, was relentless in his Texas Tech debut. He started in the 60m, running the seventh-fastest time in school history at 6.59. Adjusted for altitude, the mark lands him third in the world this year.
He had more in the tank. An hour later, the Illinois native laced them up again for the 200m, his premier event. Lindsey busted out a time of 20.45, making him just the second person in the world to run sub-21 so far this season. The time placed him eighth in school history. Such strong marks in both the 60m and 200m confirmed the hype around him as a legitimate doubler at the Division I level.
LINDSEY IS NOT PLAYING ?@GodSpeedddd cruises through the finish and still takes the ?????????? ???????? at 20.45 ?
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 16, 2021
» Meet record
» #8 in school history pic.twitter.com/QqQLozJs1C
Back in the throws area, Michigan State transfer Kayli Johnson swept the shot put and weight throw in her first meet in Lubbock. Johnson's shot put win was the first for a Tech athlete of the new season, coming via a final attempt mark of 51'-1" (15.57m). In the weight throw, she went 60'-6.5" (18.45m) for the win.
The high jump featured personal bests for each of Tech's top two finishers. Caleb Wilborn and Cale Kassen both claimed PRs after clearing 6'-10.25" (2.09m). They went out attempting what would have been Tech's first seven-foot clearances since 2019.
High jump squad got ??
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 16, 2021
Double PRs for @cwilborn10 and Cale Kassen, who both clear 6'-10.25" (2.09m) to finish ?? and ?? behind former Red Raider @tculver7 ? pic.twitter.com/MWT7Bj5cGP
Elsewhere in the jumps, Jequan Hogan opened his year with a solid 50'-10" (15.49m) mark in the men's triple for the win.
Middle distance picked up another win for Tech in the 1000m, where Owen Likins started his Red Raider career off with a first-place 2:26.44. He was followed by a PR'ing Alfred Chawonza, who turned in a time of 2:28.78. Miler Edward Rush also claimed gold in his first collegiate indoor race, winning in 4:20.46.
Tech will continue its season Saturday with the Red Raider Invitational. The meet will begin at 11 a.m. and will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
Middle Distance
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
XC/Distance
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
XC/Distance
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Jumps
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