Lopes Post Impressive Performances in Tucson

Friday, March 20

Tucson, AZ

3 p.m./10 a.m.

Grand Canyon

Willie Williams Classic

Tope Williams

Photo by: Theon Carrier

3/21/2015 5:52:00 PM | Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

GCU turns in several conference-leading marks at Willie Williams Classic

The Grand Canyon University men's and women's track and field teams concluded an impressive weekend Saturday at the Willie Williams Classic in Tucson, Ariz. The Antelopes turned in several-conference leading performances at the two-day meet, which was hosted by the University of Arizona.

"Overall, I'm very pleased with the results of our first outdoor meet," said head coach Tom Flood. "Dealing with the elements (wind, rain and sun) outdoors can take a little bit of time."

"We had a lot of conference-leading performances and a ton of personal bests," said Flood. "I was especially pleased with the performances of Bri Kee, Kelsi Klotter, Briana Myers, Tope Williams LeSean Marks and our 4x100 meter relays."

After finishing second in the 200-meter dash on Friday, Tope Williams raced to the fastest collegiate time in the 100-meter dash, crossing the line in WAC-best time of 11.95 seconds. Alexandra Gilbert's conference-fastest time of 56.84 seconds in the 400-meter dash was good enough for fourth in the quarter mile.

Jennifer Rolph, the WAC Indoor Pole Vault Champion, took first in the vault, clearing a height of 3.77 meters—which is the top mark in the WAC this season. Lindsey Wright (fourth), Athena Masolini (fifth), Ashley Privett (sixth) and Rachelle Green (seventh) all placed in the same event.

Andrea Olstead won the triple jump with her conference-best leap of 11.72 meters. Aaliyah Cook was third in the same event with her mark of 10.93 meters.

The quartet of Briana Myers , Brianne Kee, Kevina Godfrey and Williams combined to post the second-fastest 4x100-meter relay time (46.72 seconds). Amanda Sims, Paeden Jackson , Christine Miles and Gilbert took third in the 4x400-meter relay after producing a time of 3:53.09. Both relay times are the fastest in the WAC.

Akintunde Adeyemi jumped a distance of 14.46 meters in the triple jump, placing him second in the event, while Jude Olear's mark of 14.41 meters was good enough for third. Adeyemi's distance is the top mark in the conference this season. Cody Smith cleared the bar at a WAC-best height of 4.45 meters in the pole vault, giving him a third-place finish.

Josh Ralston came in fourth among collegiate competitors in the 400-meter dash, posting a conference-fastest time of 47.71 seconds. Ralston won the quarter mile at the indoor championships last month. Cody Bidlow turned in the fastest time in the WAC in the 100-meter dash (10.89 seconds).

Niels Theijs, Bidlow, Marcus Flannigan and Aaron Thurber collected a time of 40.93 seconds in the 4x100-meter relay, giving them a second-place finish in the event. In the 4x400-meter relay, LeSean Marks, Anthony Phelps , Mykeal Ham and Ralston came in third after totaling a time of 3:16.65 in the mile relay. Both of the relay times are the top times in the conference.

"We have a short training week before we get back after it at San Diego State on Friday," concluded Flood.

The Lopes will travel to San Diego next weekend where they will compete Friday and Saturday at the Aztec Invitational. Fans can find more information on the 2015 outdoor track and field season at www.gculopes.com.

Complete results from the Willie Williams Classic can be viewed here.