Tech Wraps Michael Johnson Invitational

Saturday, April 17

Waco, Texas

11:30 A.M.

Texas Tech Athletics

Michael Johnson Invitational

Tech Wraps Michael Johnson Invitational

April 17, 2021 | Track and Field

Red Raiders grind through dreary conditions in Waco.

By: Jeremy O'Brien

WACO, Texas – Texas Tech powered through cold, wet conditions in Waco to round out the Baylor-hosted Michael Johnson Invitational. Despite the inclement weather and many teams and athletes opting not to compete, the Red Raiders found silver linings in multiple events throughout the day.

Gabe Oladipo won his third discus competition of the year. He marked 185'-11" (56.67m) for the win, out-throwing in-conference competitors from Texas, TCU and Kansas, as well as Texas A&M. Oladipo, who had only thrown over 56 meters three times in his career before coming to Tech, has now done it three times this season.

Gabe's got another discus dub ??

185'-11" (56.67m) is enough to bring @ShowtimeGeee his ?????????? discus win in five meets this year. pic.twitter.com/9FIBqzB2Qi
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) April 17, 2021

For the second time in a row, Joanna Archer ran 2:08 in the 800m. After clocking a lifetime-best 2:08.18 at the Texas Relays – her first collegiate outdoor 800m – Archer lowered it by just a hair Saturday. Archer crossed in 2:08.13.

Another PR for Archer?

Joanna lowers her 800m time again, clocking 2:08.13. pic.twitter.com/qht6xRYsqm
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) April 18, 2021

Tech had three men running in the 800m. They were paced by Marco Vilca, who timed 1:48.73 in the fastest heat. It was just seven-hundredths of a second off his collegiate best, which he clocked at the NCAA Indoor Championships in March.

A near-collegiate best for Marco ??

Vilca clocks 1:48.73 in the fastest section of the 800m — just seven-hundredths from his best time as an NCAA athlete. pic.twitter.com/0eWlqb4PIe
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) April 18, 2021

Tech landed two pole vaulters in the top-three of the premier division. Chloe Wall and Ryleigh Redding battled the elements during the coldest portion of the afternoon, vaulting up to 12'-11.75" (3.96m). With a better series, Wall would finish second while her teammate Redding would take bronze.

Wall snags ??, Redding takes ??

Two Red Raiders finish in the top-three of the premier division pole vault. pic.twitter.com/81Ku6PqPHn
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) April 17, 2021

Sylvia Schulz and Lexye Price ran the 400m hurdles. Schulz, running in her second quarter-hurdle race as a Red Raider, again went 59 seconds in 59.60.

Peyton Ricks led the sprints group, nearly PR'ing at 11.67 in the 100m. She ran her first 100m since 2019 at the Texas Relays and ran a career-best 11.54.

Chelsey Cole turned in her second-best triple jump mark of the season. She placed seventh with a top jump of 41'-4.25" (12.60m).

Good day for Cole ??

Not easy conditions to triple in, but @chelseycolee turns in her second-best mark of the season.

?? 41'-4.25" (12.60m) pic.twitter.com/EsIQiq34Pt
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) April 17, 2021

Texas Tech will make a detour from its typical spring schedule next week, opting to compete at Oklahoma for a rare regular season trip to Norman. The meet, dubbed the John Jacobs Invitational, the meet will take place April 23-24.