Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Texas Tech Invitational
Another Oladipo Record Highlights First Day of Texas Tech Invitational
January 29, 2021 | Track and Field
Gabe Oladipo joined in personal bests by several other Red Raiders on opening day of Texas Tech Invitational.
Oladipo entered Friday's opening day of the Texas Tech Invitational riding two straight weeks of breaking his own school record in the weight throw. This time, in a stacked field of competitors, he eclipsed the mark on his third throw, landing one at 73'-1.25" (22.28m). When Arizona's Israel Oloyede took the lead on his next throw, Oladipo went even farther, marking a monstrous 73'-7.25" (22.43m) to take the lead, win the event and move himself up to the number-two spot in the NCAA this season.
WHY do these records keep playin' with Gabe??
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 29, 2021
That's ?????????? ?????????? in a row @ShowtimeGeee has toppled his own program WT record.
?? 73'-7.25" (22.43m) pic.twitter.com/5Urj2l91hF
Oladipo's school record came on the heels of a strong debut from fellow thrower Seasons Usual. The reigning Big 12 Champion in the weight throw, Usual wasted no time in her first appearance of the season. The senior's first legal throw of the year marked 67'-5.5" (20.56m) – good for a new career best and the 10th-best distance in school history.
??? She's baaaaack!
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 29, 2021
The reigning Big 12 Champion has returned, immediately PR'ing and taking over the top spot in the conference.
?? 67'-5.5" (20.56m, PR) pic.twitter.com/NW9GIQQNZj
On the runway, Ruth Usoro continued to amaze with a triple jump mark that ranks sixth in the world. She landed a top jump of 46'-2" (14.07m), eight inches shy of her 46'-10.25" (14.28m) from the season opener, which stood as the world lead at the time.
Tripling machine ??@UsoroRuth5's 46'-2" (14.07m) is the sixth-best jump in the ?? this year.
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 30, 2021
Behind her current world lead, of course ?? pic.twitter.com/nxOuaGsscE
Joining Usoro in jumps success was Jalen Seals. A Baylor transfer who arrived in Lubbock earlier this month, Seals turned in a career-best 52'-4.75" (15.97m) to take the fifth spot in the country this season.
Welcome aboard, Jalen ??
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 30, 2021
In @J_Seals21's second meet as a Red Raider, he goes 52'-4.75" (15.97m) in the triple for a five-inch career best.
It places him #??5?? in the NCAA this year. pic.twitter.com/kAYZYHBQdx
Takieddine Hedeilli continued to prove himself one of the top half-milers in the world Friday. The Algerian graduate student ran 1:47.15 in the 800m, a mark that would be the fastest in the world this year if not for his current world lead run at the season-opening Corky Classic. Hedeilli was followed in the second heat by freshman Owen Likins, who ran a very impressive 1:49.60 in his collegiate debut in the event.
?????? ????????: Taki's 1:47.15 tonight is two seconds off his world lead from earlier this season.
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 30, 2021
???????? ????????: If you ignore that current world lead, he literally just ran another one. pic.twitter.com/XzviCYRO1D
On the straightaway, Courtney Lindsey ran 6.61 for another world top-10 time. The JUCO transfer still sits fourth in the world in the event after the 6.59 he ran at the Corky Classic. He was joined on the women's side by an impressive Peyton Ricks, who ran her first sub-7.50 race since the 2019 Big 12 Championships. Ricks turned in a lifetime-best 7.43 in the final to slide up to fourth in the Big 12 this season.
That's a debut PR for @_calliewallie_ ?
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 29, 2021
Jones tallies 3??,7??1??8?? points in her pent debut as a Red Raider, a career best by 120 points ?? pic.twitter.com/IpDST5RI9z
Tech had two competing in its first combined events competition of the season: Callie Jones and Fynn Zenker, though only the former would finish the day. Jones journey to a personal best began right away. The Bethune-Cookman transfer began her Tech multis debut with a personal-best 8.67 in the hurdles. She followed up with a near-PR in the high jump, clearing 5'-4.5" (1.64m) before going out attempting 1.25" higher. Jones' top finish of the day came in the shot put, where she placed fifth with a top throw of 37'-4.5" (11.39m). She nearly PR'd in the long jump as well, jumping 18'-5.75" (5.63m) before turning in a 2:38.02 to end the day. Jones' work throughout the day carried her to a career-best total of 3,718 points.
Zenker began his first heptathlon with a day-high 789 points coming from a 7.27 60m. He marked 37'-2.25" (11.33m) in the shot put after long jumping 20'-6.25" (6.25m), but pulled out after that with shoulder tightness.
Saturday's action will begin with field events at noon, with running events starting at 1 p.m. The meet will be streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
