Texas Tech Wraps Invitational in Strong Fashion

Saturday, January 30

Lubbock, Texas

10:00 A.M.

Texas Tech Athletics

Texas Tech Invitational

Texas Tech Wraps Invitational in Strong Fashion

January 30, 2021 | Track and Field

Full Results

More Red Raiders climb national rankings on final day of first two-day meet of season.

By: Jeremy O'Brien

LUBBOCK, Texas – Though a lighter day in terms of number of Red Raiders competing, Texas Tech's first two-day meet of the season wrapped Saturday with more strong performances after a stellar Friday night.

"You can't duplicate this in practice," said head coach Wes Kittley. "I was really proud of those who competed yesterday and then came back again today. We got some hard work in, and for those that did both days it's really a fabulous pair of workouts. That's the main thing."

Kayli Johnson continued to impress in the shot put. Saturday, she extended her four-inch lead in the Big 12 by another nine inches with a top throw of 55'-3" (16.84m). The mark moved her up to fifth in the country this season as well as fifth in program history. Johnson has now landed program top-10 and national top-five throws in back-to-back weeks.

"I really loved seeing Kayli hit another personal best in the shot put," said Kittley. "She has been so consistent every week and getting better.

Shot put PRs continue for @_kayliij??

?? 55'-3" (16.84m)

» #5 in the NCAA this year
» #5 in program history pic.twitter.com/XlWg9opnWq
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 30, 2021

On the track, Owen Likins turned in his second straight day of impressive races. After running a big career-best 1:49.60 800m Friday evening, the freshman turned his attention to the mile. Likins held the lead most of the race, lost it at the 1200m mark, then took it back in an exciting final lap for the win. He would cross in 4:10.38, which will convert down for altitude into one of the top times in the Big 12 this season.

"I've always known he was a young, talented kid from the first time we recruited him," said Kittley. "But it was the 800 that surprised me more than the mile. After running a 1:49 last night, he told me he was going to run a 4:10 mile today and that's exactly what he did. It's such a tough double to be able to do that, and I love seeing him with the confidence to do it the way he did."

????'???? ???????????? ???????????? ??

After an 800m PR last night, @OwenLikins wins the mile at 4:10.38 — another big personal best.

Adjusted for altitude, the freshman's time will convert down to one of the best in the Big 12 this year ?? pic.twitter.com/adzyFcPkKs
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 30, 2021

Tech's men's relay concluded the meet on a high note, claiming the 13^th spot in the NCAA this year with a foursome who has yet to pass the baton to each other. Ryan Champlin set up in the blocks, keeping pace with the relays from TCU and Baylor before handing off to Courtney Lindsey. Lindsey ran 46.99 to take the lead for the Red Raiders; currently sitting on top of the world in the 200m and fourth in the 60m, Lindsey truly showed off the tremendous range he possesses. Chancellor Stephenson, who rabbited Takideddine Hedeilli's world number two 800m Friday night, took the baton from Lindsey and ran the fastest split of the day at 46.58. Marco Vilca ran the anchor, closing in 47.59 after running a full 800m last night. It was the first relay for the Peruvian middle distance specialist who arrived in Lubbock earlier this month.

"It's the first time we've really kind of put it together," said Kittley. "Courtney was great on the second leg, and it was Chance's first time running all year. Marco has been here for three weeks. It was fun to compete there and I'm so proud of how they competed. It gives us the opportunity to see that our 4x4 has got some potential."

Tech's women's relay ran 3:43.02. Lexye Price opened the race with a 55.54 split before passing to Nayanna Dubarry-Gay, who ran the team's fastest split at 54.35 after running a 200m just an hour earlier. Le-Taija Jackson (56.90) and Sylvia Schulz (56.25) rounded out the effort, finishing third.

Relay was ??????????' ??

The men take over as #13 in the NCAA ??

?? Ryan Champlin (48.24)
?? @GodSpeedddd (46.99)
?? @chance_step (46.58)
?? Marco Vilca (47.59)

? 3:09.39 pic.twitter.com/2PyP1iHKaL
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 30, 2021

Elsewhere on the track, Peyton Ricks finished her weekend with a second personal best. After a 7.43 PR in the 60m Friday evening, Ricks turned around and ran the best indoor 200m of her career at 23.83.

In the pole vault, Logan Fraley tied a career best with a top clearance of 16'-6.75" (5.05m). He went out attempting a bar six inches higher at 17'-0.75".

Tech will take the week off from hosting before welcoming another host of strong programs Feb. 12-13 for the Texas Tech Shootout. The meet will be streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.