Louisiana Tech athletes achieved two new meet records and collected 10 first place finishes at the Jim Mize Invitational held on April 18 in Ruston.
The event saw Karo Oghomi and Jaitlyn Ware set new Bulldog records in the 100-meter and 200-meter runs. Oghomi recorded a personal best of 10.15 seconds in the 100 meters, which also became a facility record at the Jim Mize Track and Field Complex. He finished third in the 200 meters with another career best of 20.61 seconds, placing his sprint among the top times nationally this season. Ware ran a personal best of 23.20 seconds in the women’s 200 meters, breaking another facility record and earning her second top-three finish for that event during this outdoor season.
Both men’s and women’s relay teams secured first place finishes in their respective events. The men’s team, consisting of Carl Murray IV, Madonna Favour, Oghomi, and Abdulraof Rashid won with a time of 40.29 seconds, while Praise Ofoku, Tyrica Sterrett, Ware, and Azaria Whitehurst led the women’s team to victory with a time of 45.97 seconds.
Additional highlights included Nia Wiley’s season-best performance to win the women’s 400 meters (55.16), A’reil Williams’ high jump win (1.71m), Kaitlyn Washington’s discus throw victory (53.27m), Cobe Johnson’s long jump win (7.55m), as well as podium finishes for Katie Langford (first) and Brayden Vining (third) in their respective 800 meter races.
Relay teams rounded out Louisiana Tech’s day with strong showings: Wiley, Ware, Ofoku, and Omeye took first place for women’s four-by-400 meter relay at a time of 3:46.92; Rickey Williams III, Sebastian Bradley-Reed, Chevoney Reid, and Nazario Gumbs placed second on the men’s side with a time of 3:14.33.
The performances highlight continued success for Louisiana Tech track athletes during this outdoor season.
