Records fall in return to competition

Friday, January 14

Flagstaff, Ariz.

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Friday Night Axe 'em

Photo by: Skyler Coblentz

1/15/2022 10:30:00 AM | Track and Field

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Season-opening meet in Flagstaff sees 3 program records broken

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Grand Canyon track and field program opened up its indoor season by promptly breaking three school records at the Friday Night Axe 'Em Open.

"Overall, I am very pleased with our performances at NAU," Lopes head coach Tom Flood said of the meet at Northern Arizona. "I was so impressed with several of their performances. They definitely busted some rust off in our first meet."

Three GCU indoor program records were beaten in the opener. A returning NCAA Championships participant, fifth-year senior Ethan Harris, set the high jump record at 2.14 meters, topping the old mark of 2.10. Senior Jorden Okyere continued putting his name in the program's record book, logging 17.71 meters in the weight throw to replace the old record of 17.43. Lastly, junior Kelly Moodry finished with a time of 1 minute, 32.11 seconds in the 600-meter run. She replaced the school record of 1:34.04.

Flood also was impressed with GCU debut performances.

"We also had outstanding performances from newcomers, Atena Rayson, in the 60-meter dash (7.37 seconds), and Amanda Thrue had a nice double in both the 60-meter hurdles (8.71) and long jump (5.62 meters)," Flood said.

The first meet of the year featured some unusual events in an effort to help athletes gradually ease into the spring season.

"This meet ran a lot of odd-distance races that we normally don't run," Flood said. "We had great performances and first-place finishes from Jan Kral in the 300 meters (33.97), Bryson Benjamin in the 500 meters (1:05.77) and Max Carmona in the 600 meters (1:19.93)."

The staff was impressed by additional event finishes in various events.

"I also thought that Aidan Diggs had a nice double in the 60-meter hurdles (8.10 seconds) and long jump (6.87 meters)," Flood said. "Jazmine Scott in the triple jump (12.09 meters) and Jacob Lewis in the mile (altitude-converted 4:14.67) had nice openers. All of our 60-meter guys also had great season openers."

The Lopes turn their attention to next week, when the team will split to participate in a pair of meets. Some will return to Flagstaff for the Lumberjack Team Challenge, while others will get a preview of the site of the WAC Indoor Championships in Albuquerque at the MLK Jr. College Invitational.

"We will back to work again on Monday and look to improve even more next week in Albuquerque or back in Flagstaff," Flood said.