Women win 3rd consecutive conference crown; Lopes repeat 2018 sweep
By: Sam Kuzminski
EDINBURG, Texas — Grand Canyon conquered conference competition on all three days of the WAC Outdoor Championships to finish as the men's and women's champions on Saturday night.
The GCU women's team won its third consecutive WAC outdoor title and fourth overall title with 208 points, which was 44.5 points better than runner-up New Mexico State, and the Lopes men's team pulled away with 263.5 points to win its third WAC outdoor title by finishing 71 points ahead of Utah Valley.
"While winning any championship is always wonderful, these two are really special after this very difficult year," GCU head coach Tom Flood said of his program's second sweep in the past four WAC Outdoor Championships. "Our athletes remained focus from the first gun until the final event and didn't let anything break their concentration."
Damion Marshall
On Day 3 of competition at UTRGV Soccer and Track and Field Complex, the Lopes continued to stack individual titles with five additional champions bringing their meet total to 14 individual titles.
"Both of these championships were total team efforts, but we were led today by our five final-day champions," Flood said.
Lewis ran the 1,500 meters in 3 minutes, 51.19 seconds and followed his win by finishing second in the 800 an hour later with a time of 1:53.31. Lopes junior Robby Foster followed closely behind for third place in the 800 at 1:53.43.
Placing top three in four races, Kral shined in the 400-meter run as he won in 47.38 seconds. The Czech Republic native was also runner-up in the 200-meter dash (21.35) and aided the Lopes in a third-place finish in the 1,600-meter relay (3:19.96) and second in the 400-meter relay (40.90).
"Jan Kral had a wonderful day by winning the 400 meters, and just got leaned at the tape in the 200 meters," Flood said.
Jan Kral
Collecting her second 800-meter WAC title, Hokanson took command and secured the win in 2:09.47. Senior teammate Yarithza Soto followed in third place at 2:13.34, giving GCU 16 points in the event.
"Alexa led the women's 800 meters from start to finish and won in a dominating fashion," Flood said.
Also winning a WAC title was Balsan in the 5,000-meter race (16:48.18). After winning the WAC 10,000-meter title on Thursday, GCU senior Erika Wallace proceeded to display her distance-running strength by finishing second in the 5,000-meter race (16:56.48) on Saturday.
Finishing the night, Harris had a strong performance in the high jump with a 2.10-meter mark to win the WAC title. The California native sparked excitement earlier this season from his 2.26-meter jump at the Desert Heat Classic, which at the time, ranked third in the NCAA.
"We closed out the championships the way we started it," Flood said. "We won the first event of the championships and Ethan Harris continued his dazzling performances in the high jump with a win in the final event."
In addition to the 14 individual awards and team sweeps, Flood was named WAC Coach of the Year.
Tom Flood
Another exhilarating performance was executed by Lopes senior Paxton Henry in the triple jump with his personal record of 15.17 meters to place third.
The 200-meter dash was key for the men's team with the Lopes securing a total of 21 points with four of the top seven runners in the event. Kral, senior Damion Marshall (21.66), junior Kyle DeMoica (21.74) took second through fourth places with senior Ivan Zaharchenko (21.85) finishing seventh.
"The men's side got an outstanding 19 points in the 1,500 meters, and 15 points in the 100 meters as well," Flood said.
GCU senior Niki Xydona won the High Point Award and Outstanding Field Performer from her incredible performances in the heptathlon on the first two days of the meet.
"I think it's a testament to this team's strength," said William Winfield IV, a sixth-year member better known as "Quad." "This year especially, I have never been so proud of this team and to represent GCU. The GCU track and field team will always be my family, and I cannot wait to see their continued growth and success as an organization."
Redshirt freshman Onome Ogbeni also led the Lopes' effort to secure 11 points toward the women's score in the discus event. Ogbeni placed third and threw 45.74 meters.
"We will enjoy these victories on our way home and then take Monday off before we turn our focus towards the NCAA West Regional at Texas A&M in two weeks," Flood said.
The Lopes will compete at the NCAA West Regionals on May 27-29 in College Station, Texas.
For complete WAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships results, go here.
