Baylor T&F’s Johnson Wins Razorback Invite Triple Jump

[Pirtle, Colin]

BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – Jan. 28, 2023

Baylor T&F’s Johnson Wins Razorback Invite Triple Jump
Bears wrap up Razorback Invitational
For more information contact: Colin Pirtle; 940-564-0351, colin_pirtle1 at baylor.edu<mailto:colin_pirtle1 at baylor.edu>


FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Baylor track and field closed its time at the Razorback Invitational on Saturday evening, bringing home one event win and eight new marks on the program all-time top-10.



The Bears lone gold medal from the star-studded meet came from senior Koi Johnson, who leaped to victory in the triple jump with a mark of 42-8. In the men’s event, Aren Spencer just missed a finals-advancing spot after finishing 10th.



Victoria Adu made her Baylor debut on Saturday afternoon in the weight throw, where she finished ninth place with a mark of 59-10 ¼. That throw found Adu the No. 2 spot in program history, and it marked the furthest chunk in the women’s weight throw since the 2014 Big 12 Championships where Erin Atkinson had a 62-9 ½ throw.



The men’s 4x400, comprised of Hasani Barr, Dillon Bedell, Matthew Moorer and Nathaniel Ezekiel, improved on their seasons-best from the Corky Classic with a 3:04.37 at the Razorback. That time is the fourth-fastest ever ran by a Baylor 4x4 squad and the fastest since the 2016 Big 12 Championships.



Lily Williams continued her mid-distance show on Saturday night, finishing the women’s 800 meters with a sixth place 2:06.14 that moves her to No. 4 in program history.



Coach David Barnett and Abbie Fredrick’s distance squad has a great Saturday, with Annamaria Kostarellis (9:14.18 in the 3,000 meters) and Ryan Day (4:05.54 in the mile) both finding personal bests and moving to No. 4 in program history. Along with them, Sophia Leidner, Drew Snyder and Ryan Hodge also PR’ed in the 3,000 meters.



Demar Francis and Ezekiel finished back-to-back in the 400 meters, running a 46.61 for seventh and a 46.67 for eighth, respectively. Bedell followed in 11th with a seasons-best 46.85 and Barr finshed 18th with a 47.14-second race.



In the women’s 400, Imaobong Uko led the Bears to a 20th-place finish, while Kavia Francis was just behind in 24th. Gontse Morake followed in 31st.



Back in the throws ring, Makayla Long recorded a PR in the weight throw of 54-1¼ for 14th place, which was just in front of Hannah Link’s seasons-best 53-10½ in 15th place. Gary Moore Jr. qualified to the finals of the men’s event, where he came in at 62-2 ½ for eighth place. Cole Hardan finished 14th, and Cooper Mack followed in 19th.



Eli Morris advanced to the finals of the 60-meter hurdles after breaking eight seconds for the first time this season. The senior clocked a 7.92 in prelims and a 7.99 in the finals.



Tenly Kuhn continued building up a solid foundation for her collegiate career with another personal-best in the pole vault, this time clearing 13-1 for 11th place. Keidra Mills and Lillianna Ifft got knocked out together, finishing in 25th place.



The women’s 4x400-meter relay squad of Francis, Mariah Ayers, Morake and Uko ran a 3:34.22 to finish 12th overall, 10th in collegiate competition.



Luke Anthony continued his strong weekend in the heptathlon, finishing 12th with 4,734 points. Anthony ran an 8.85 in the 60-meter hurdles, vaulted 12-9½ and ran a 2:49 1,000 meters.



Kamden Jackson and Ricquan Graham were the two Bears finishing in the 60-meter sprint in 19th place and 29th place, respectively. In the women’s race, Bria Bullard finished 13th with a 7.49 and Michaela Francois followed with a seasons-best 7.52.



QUOTABLE

Head coach Michael Ford

“We took some good steps toward into this championship stretch of the season. I am super proud of the distance crew, Coach [David] Barnett and Coach [Abbie] Fredrick had a great weekend. I was pleased with Koi Johnson getting the win in triple jump and setting a new personal best. Tenly Kuhn in the pole vault had a good meet, setting a new personal best, too. To end the meet with running the fourth fastest 4x4 in Baylor history was special, and the guys ran amazing. Now we can go back to train and prepare for the Clemson meet in two weeks.”



WHAT’S NEXT

The Bears have a week break before returning to the track for Clemson’s Tiger Paw Invitational at the Rock Norman Track and Field Complex Feb. 10-11.



- BaylorBears.com -

_________________________________________
Colin Pirtle | Associate Director of Athletics Communications (T&F, XC, MTEN)
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
C: 940-564-0351

[signature_2230589939]<http://baylorbears.com/>

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