Nichols Takes World Lead, Oladipo Breaks School Record at Red Raider Invitational

Saturday, January 23

Lubbock, Texas

11:00 A.M.

Texas Tech Athletics

Red Raider Invitational

Nichols Takes World Lead, Oladipo Breaks School Record at Red Raider Invitational

January 23, 2021 | Track and Field

Full Results

Monae’ Nichols takes top spot in the world in the long jump, weight throw record falls again via Gabe Oladipo.

By: Jeremy O'Brien

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech's fifth world leader and a pair of school records highlighted Saturday's Red Raider Invitational.

"We had a great day today," said head coach Wes Kittley. "I'm really proud of how the field events are coming along. We knew that this meet we had a few more people competing in the field events than running, and we're very pleased with those marks, both in the field and on the track."

Monae' Nichols became the fifth Red Raider in the last seven days to take over as world leader in an event. Her monstrous mark of 22'-1.75" (6.75m) came on her third jump of the day, downing the school record and Sports Performance Facility record as well. Nichols, a transfer from Bethune-Cookman, upped her career best by a full foot with the jump. In addition to placing her at the top of the world leaderboard, her mark also counted as the 11^th-best performance in NCAA history.

"I was just like, 'No way,'" Nichols said. "I had chills and my hair was standing up. I still can't believe it right now."

"It was a monster jump," said Kittley. "Truly phenomenal. She's just a good athlete. She has great speed, and once she learns and develops more she'll get better. But let me tell you, that's a monster jump."

Nichols was joined in strong jumps performances by Virginia Kerley and Chelsey Cole. Kerley landed a huge long jump PR of 20'-4.5" (6.21m) to tie for sixth in the NCAA. Cole was strong in the triple jump, also claiming a spot in the national top-16 with a mark of 41'-8" (12.70m) – her best in two seasons.

TOP OF THE WORLD, MONAE'??

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» Facility record
» School record pic.twitter.com/LfaNlhvxxE
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 23, 2021

Two meets into the season, Gabe Oladipo has broken his own school weight throw record twice. The senior's record-smashing mark came on his last attempt of the event.

As has been the case for most of his Texas Tech career, Oladipo began the meet poised to make a run at the program mark. His first attempt came just over an inch from the record of 71'-10.75" (21.91m) he set last week. Oladipo's record from the season opener would not last much longer, as his fifth attempt brought the first 72-foot distance of his career at 72'-3.5" (22.03m). He would go even farther on his final throw, marking 72'-9.75" (22.19m) to up the record yet again.

"I wasn't the freshest coming into the competition, but the things I've been working on in practice have started to show," said Oladipo. "We're getting more consistent, and you can't complain about that."

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— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 23, 2021

Kayli Johnson continued to build upon the strong start she made in her Red Raider debut last week. Johnson, a Michigan State transfer, PR'd in both the shot and weight throw. Johnson started with a career best in the latter, landing a mark at 61'-1" (18.92m) to take second. An hour later, she would ascend the national rankings in the shot with a huge PR of 54'-6.75" to claim the number-four spot in the NCAA this season.

"It's been a great confidence booster," said Johnson, speaking on her three wins in four events to start her Tech career. "We've been working out some kinks each week, and winning and performing like that has been a confidence booster."

Field Gatlin joined johnson in double PRs on the day, also doing so in the shot (48'-1.75", 14.67m) and weight throw (54'-9.25", 16.69m).

What a day for @_kayliij ??

Johnson has PR'd in both the weight and shot, the latter of which she now sits #4 in the NCAA ?? pic.twitter.com/QgXp3kipH0
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 23, 2021

High jump brought more strong performances for the Red Raiders. Sidney Sapp cleared 5'-10" (1.78m) to tie for eighth in the country this year, while Jack Scarborough's clearance of 7'-0.5" (2.15m) – just a half inch short of a PR – made him one of 12 in the country to clear seven feet this year.

It was a light day on the track, but Tech was encouraged by strong runs in the hurdles and middle distance. Kaylor Harris made her return from injury after missing the entirety of the 2020 indoor season to run 8.40 in the 60m hurdles for the win. In the 600y, Lexye Price PR'd at 1:21.98 with school record-holder Sylvia Schulz and her 1:22.74 close behind. Marco Vilca made his Tech debut in the 600y as well, running a strong 1:10.10 to win a close one.

Tech's next meet will be a two-day showdown in the form of the Texas Tech Invitational & Multis on Jan. 29-30. The meet will be streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.