The Drovers traveled to Robert W. Plaster Center in Pittsburg, Kan. to compete in the NAIA/JUCO Challenge Saturday, Jan. 25. This event was hosted by Pittsburg State University and was USAO’s second indoor track meet for the 2025-2026 season.
Two of the three Drover women competed in shotput for this track meet, where junior Kyra Willett recorded her season-best throw of 9.81 meters (32 feet and 2.25 inches). Willett placed 23rd overall while her teammate freshman Kyli Reser took 26th place and recorded her farthest throw at 9.41 meters (30 feet and 10.5 inches).
Freshman Tanyaradzwa Mutara led the running events for the women as she competed in the 60-meter dash. She took 79th place overall after recording a run of 9.36 seconds, which stands as her fastest time this season.
The men’s team saw senior Quintin Pennells blaze past his previous best time this season in the 200-meter dash when he finished the race in 22.56 seconds. This performance earned him a tie for 36th place overall. Junior Daylen Huff also took part in the 200-meter dash and placed 69th in the event after running his season-best time of 23.80 seconds.
Two more Drovers showed their speed in the 60-meter dash event with junior Omario Johnson placing 26th after running 6.99 seconds in his first race this season. Sophomore Crispin Mbii was close behind Johnson as he took 37th place and finished with a time of 7.04 seconds. This was Mbii’s first race of the season, and he was able to tie his personal best record with this run.
Mbii believes he exceeded his expectations with this performance, as he has been battling a recent ankle injury and limited practice. This event marks his first track meet since he injured his piriformis muscle during a 100-meter dash in March of last year. While he has endured some setbacks from freshman year, Mbii is optimistic for his sophomore season and has one major goal to achieve by the end of the track season.
“Although I have modest expectations for the indoor season, I am determined to work hard during the outdoor season with my supportive teammates to qualify for the NAIA Nationals,” he said.
Mbii expressed gratitude for USAO, his coach, and his team by saying that he is thankful for all of them and believes they will help him achieve his goal of reaching the NAIA National track meet.
The final event the Drovers competed in was the 4 by 400-meter relay. USAO’s team consisted of junior Hunter Dewall, sophomore Colby Keller, Johnson, and Pennells. This was the first time the Drovers competed in this event this season, and they ran a time of 3:43.02 minutes and finished 25th overall.
The Drovers will head back into action Friday Jan. 31 as they will compete in the JD Martin Invitational in Norman.
Gary Jackson is a fourth-year communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
