Progress highlights greatness on home track

Saturday, April 3

Phoenix, Ariz.

1:00 PM

Grand Canyon

GCU Antelope Invitational

Photo by: Elizabeth Tinajero

4/3/2021 10:12:00 PM | Track and Field

Lewis, Okyere, Wallace break GCU records

By: Sam Kuzminski

The Grand Canyon track and field team hosted its third-ever home meet, all of which have been this year, on Saturday and took key wins against a handful of fierce competitors.

"On this warm Phoenix day, the Lopes continued their hot streak of breaking school records, posting WAC-leading marks and recording very fast times," GCU head coach Tom Flood said.

For the third meet in a row, junior Jorden Okyere broke a GCU school record. This time, Okyere broke his discus school record with a throw of 52.34 meters. The Phoenix native is tied with Tarleton State's Oscar Rodriguez for the top WAC distance of the season.

"Jorden Okyere is like a broken record and keeps repeating himself by breaking school records every weekend," Flood said.

At the previous meet, GCU junior Jacob Lewis broke the school record in the 1,500-meter race. He continued his Lopes record-breaking streak with 5,000-meter record time of 14 minutes, 21.55 seconds.

The third broken school record came from senior Erika Wallace in the 10,000-meter race, as she ran it in 35:37.36.

"Jacob Lewis shattered the school record in the 5,000 meters and it was so wonderful to see Erika Wallace break the school record in the 10,000 meters in less than ideal conditions with the heat," Flood said.

GCI senior Anaya Bailey placed fifth in the 100-meter dash, as she finished with a personal best of 11.92 seconds. Her impressive performance ranks her atop the WAC this season. In the event, Bailey ran against six-time Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix.

"It was such an amazing experience to run with Allyson," Bailey said. "I've been running since I was 5 years old, and she has been my childhood track idol that I have always looked up to. It was a very surreal moment, and I am extremely happy to have competed with her today."

Also making an appearance at the GCU Antelope Invitational was Olympian Sydney McLaughlin, who competed in the 100-meter hurdles.

"It is always special when we are able to host a home meet, but it was especially incredible that we had the most decorated female athlete in Olympic history, Allyson Felix, and heir apparent Sydney McLaughlin, competing in our meet today," Flood said. "It was really special for our student-athletes to experience."

Ranking first in the WAC this season, the 400-meter relay team won with a time of 40.37, ran by senior David Kolar, sophomore Jan Kral, and juniors Adam Knuff and Kyle DeMoica.

Lopes senior Alexa Hokanson expanded her current top WAC ranking in the 800 meters with a new time of 2:07.65. She was 0.05 seconds from breaking her school record.

"I was also very impressed with Alexa Hokanson's performances," Flood said. "She just missed her school record in the 800 meters, and then followed that race with a top-10 GCU performance in the 1,500 meters."

Making a personal best, GCU senior Josh Onwordi made a remarkable effort in the long jump with a 7.57-meter jump and won the event. Onwordi is ranked first in the WAC this season for his performance.

In the 400-meter race, Kral placed second with a time of 47.53, a personal best. This finish helped Kral climb to the top of the 400-meter WAC rankings for the season.

"Jan Kral had another nice weekend with WAC-leading performances in both the 400 meters and 4 x 100-meter relay," Flood said.

GCU junior Kyle DeMoica was the runner-up in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.74. He also ran the 200-meter dash in 21.58 and placed second.

Competing in the 3,000-meter steeplechase for the first time since 2019, Lopes senior Paige Hildebrandt placed third with a time of 10:37.70. Although she did not set a personal record, Hildebrandt still holds the school record in the event from her performance at the 2018 Mt. SAC Relays.

GCU senior Madelyn Lundberg received third place for her 4.13-meter pole vault. Lundberg was 1 centimeter from taking the school record from teammate Alyson Schwartz. However, Lundberg continues to be ranked first in the WAC this season.

Other noteworthy performances were made by junior Zachary Galgan in the pole vault with a 4.91-meter vault and a second-place finish. Also, freshman Andrew Rhonehouse set a personal best as he took second in the javelin with a throw of 58.43 meters.

"We will take a well-deserved break from competition next weekend and focus on a last solid block of training before heading to San Antonio in two weeks," Flood said.

The Lopes will travel to the Roadrunner Invitational in San Antonio on April 15.