BOONE, N.C. — WVU Tech track and field competed against a deep field at the John Weaver Invitational, with the Golden Bear men placing seventh with 24 points and the women finishing ninth with 10 points.
The meet was highlighted by an event victory, multiple scoring performances, six school records and a number of personal-best efforts across the lineup.
Freshman Isaac Agee led the way with a first-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles, crossing in 14.56 to secure another WVU Tech school record. The mark continues his strong run of performances and remains among the top times in the NAIA this season. Agee also placed fifth in the long jump with a season-best mark of 6.81 meters and ran on WVU Tech's third-place 4x100-meter relay team that posted a season-best time of 43.48.
Freshman Carlos Parra Soto added a scoring finish in the sprints, placing seventh in the 200 meters in 22.80, while junior John Ashton ran 26.27 in the event. Freshman Adrin Jijo also competed in the 200 meters with a time of 25.19.
Freshman Ralph Aaron Etaba Ateba recorded a personal-best 51.10 in the 400 meters, a mark that stands as a new WVU Tech school record. Sophomore Chucky Jordan followed with a time of 53.90 and also contributed to the 4x100-meter relay.
On the women's side, freshman Hailey Ervin led the way in the finals with a fifth-place finish in the 100-meter hurdles in 17.64. She also competed in the triple jump and ran on the 4x100-meter relay team.
Freshman Rebecca H. Lorincz turned in a strong performance in the 400 meters, posting a personal-best time of 1:00.39 to set a new WVU Tech school record. Freshman Jadyn Farmer added a time of 1:05.72 in the event, while senior Nevaeh Wooding competed in the 200 meters (31.62) and joined the relay unit that finished sixth in 54.21.
The distance group continued to show steady progress. Freshman Jan Ponsa ran 2:10.16 in the 800 meters and added a personal-best 4:37.57 in the mile. Sophomore Evan McElwayne recorded a personal-best 4:45.40 in the mile and competed in the 800 meters (2:15.88). Freshman Eli Jordan (2:22.76, 5:08.05) and freshman Rasmus Jakobsson (2:22.82, 5:14.98) contributed in both events, while freshman Travis Anderson competed in the 800 meters (2:42.95) and mile (5:30.14). Senior Christian Saffouri ran 2:15.28 in the 800 meters, and sophomore Lexie Wikel recorded a season-best 2:46.16 in the 800 meters along with a personal-best 5:57.28 in the mile. Sophomore Peyton Asbury added a 7:23.36 in the mile.
In the field events, sophomore Nicholas Vincent posted a season-best 24.88 meters in the discus and added a mark of 8.46 meters in the shot put. Junior Matthew Rhodes recorded 9.89 meters in the shot put, while freshman Matthew Linville competed in the long jump with a mark of 5.89 meters. Freshman Colton Henderson, freshman Owen Cameron and freshman Crutcher Hutchison also competed in the jumping events.
Freshman Jonathan Cantley and sophomore Alec Howard contributed in the throwing events, while sophomore Abigail Holley represented the women's side in the discus (13.68 meters) and posted a season-best 8.13 meters in the shot put.
WVU Tech's relay teams added key points, with the 4x100-meter relay team of Agee, Cade Curfman, Jordan and Benjamin Niles placing third in a season-best 43.48, while the women's 4x100-meter relay team of Ervin, Farmer, Wooding and Lorincz finished sixth in 54.21.
In addition to Agee, the Golden Bears recorded school records from Parra Soto in the 100 meters, Etaba Ateba in the 400 meters, Lorincz in the 400 meters, along with two additional program marks set during the meet, bringing the total to six school records on the weekend.
With an event victory, multiple scoring finishes and record-setting performances across the roster, the Golden Bears continue to build momentum heading into the River States Conference Championship.
WHAT'S NEXT
WVU Tech returns to action May 1–2 at the River States Conference Championship in Rio Grande, Ohio.
