Cobe Johnson won the gold medal in the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.85 meters on his final attempt, according to a May 15 announcement from LA Tech Bulldogs & Lady Techsters Track and Field. The event took place Thursday afternoon in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with nine Bulldogs advancing to finals scheduled for Saturday.
Johnson’s last jump narrowly surpassed Liberty’s Markus White by just 0.02 meters for first place. His mark is now the twelfth longest by a Division I athlete this outdoor season and sets a new personal best as well as ranking ninth all-time in Bulldog history.
Oscar Smith ran the second fastest time in the men’s 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.00 seconds, securing his spot in Saturday’s final round. Rickey Williams III also advanced to finals after recording a time of 47.54 seconds in the men’s 400 meters, which was seventh fastest among competitors.
In women’s events, Jamara Patterson finished nearly three seconds ahead of her nearest competitor in her heat of the women’s 400 meters with a time of 52.56 seconds—the fastest overall among all participants. Tyhra Charles won her heat at 53.94 seconds (third fastest), while Nia Wiley qualified with a sixth-fastest time of 55.24 seconds.
The third heat of the men’s 100 meters saw three Bulldogs qualify for finals: Lukundo Kapambalala set a personal best at 10.27 seconds (second fastest overall and sixtieth nationally this season), while Abdulraof Rashid and Carl Murray IV both finished at 10.42 seconds to advance as well.
Tyrica Sterrett completed her heat win in the women’s 100 meters with an effort timed at 11.69 seconds—third fastest among all runners.
The team will return to competition Friday for additional events including women’s high jump, both men’s and women’s heats for the 200- and 800-meter races.
