USAO men’s and women’s track and field teams competed in their first outdoor meet of the season at the Harding Invitational Saturday, March 8. The teams traveled to Harding University in Searcy, Ark., where two Drovers broke a school record and four USAO athletes placed in the top 10 of their events.

The women’s team featured six athletes who competed in the shotput event, with junior Kyra Willet hurling into 9th place for the Drovers at 10.35 meters (33 feet 11.5 inches). Not far behind her was freshman Kyli Reser who threw for 9.88 meters (32 feet 5 inches) and a 14th-place finish. Freshman Macey Crandall took 15th place after launching the shotput 9.68 meters (31 feet 9 inches). Sophomore Alayna Nichols saw her farthest throw go for 9.05 meters (29 feet 8.25 inches) and a 17th-place finish. Junior Laura Barrios Bardi was two spots behind Nichols at 19th place after recording 8.65 meters (28 feet 4.5 inches) on her throw. Last but not least was freshman Luisa Talavera, who placed 22nd after throwing 8.46 meters (27 feet 9 inches).

Three of the Drovers who took on the shotput also tested themselves in the discus throw. Reser had the best throw of the day as she broke USAO’s school record in this event, heaving the discus for an astonishing 39.06 meters (128 feet 1 inch). She barely missed out on the podium for this performance, taking fourth place in this event. Crandall was able to complete her farthest throw at 31.2 meters (102 feet 4 inches) and took 17th place. Barrios Bardi saw the discus go 25.53 meters (83 feet 9 inches) in her throw and finished in 21st place.

After claiming USAO’s school record in discus, Reser says she feels satisfied with her performance overall and looks forward to improving as the season progresses.

“I feel that I should focus on my techniques and creating a consistent base so that I can improve my skills and eventually make it to nationals,” Reser said.

She also spoke about her teammates and wishes for them to keep up their hard work and to stay focused on that even when they’re having a rough day on the track.

Freshman Tanyaradzwa Mutura was the only woman to compete in the long jump and 100-meter dash events for USAO. She took 19th place in the long jump after leaping 4.18 meters (13 feet 8.5 inches). Mutura recorded a time of 14.96 seconds in the 100-meter dash, netting her 28th place.

The men’s team saw action in running and throwing events, with the number seven being the lucky number of the day. The 100-meter dash saw senior Quintin Pennells blaze into seventh place overall with a time of 11.2 seconds. Junior Hunter Dewall also took on the 100-meter dash and finished his run in 11.9 seconds for a 26th-place finish.

Pennells also placed seventh overall in the 200-meter dash as he was able to complete this race in 22.61 seconds. His teammate Dewall finished with a time of 24.37 seconds and 24th place.

Freshman Andries Meyer also had an impressive debut in the outdoor season as he competed in the 800-meter dash. Meyer was able to finish this race in 2.02.80 minutes and earned seventh place overall.

The throwing team saw freshman Mason Potter and freshman Chayce Papp take charge in discus and shot put. Potter had an exciting day as he now holds USAO’s school record in the discus after recording a throw of 39.89 meters (130 feet and 10 inches). Potter also took seventh place overall just like his teammates while Papp was able to launch the discus 25.1 meters (82 feet 1 inch) and place 23rd overall.

Papp was able to edge out his teammate Potter in the shotput as he finished 13th overall with a throw of 10.29 meters (33 feet 9 inches). Potter came in 14th place overall and threw the shotput 10.21 meters (33 feet 6 inches).

Drover track and field will be back at it again on March 22 at the Bethel College Open in North Newton, Ks.