MANHATTAN, KANSAS- Ranger Track & Field traveled to Kansas State for their weekend meet as a part of the Steve Miller Invitational in the final meet in historic Ahearn Fieldhouse. Northwestern found success in a limited meet with six personal bests along with two new school records. The Ranges also produced two event winners in Ladasheray Bell taking first in the 400m and Valerie Nzeakor first in the long jump.

"We were a part of history during the Kansas State Steve Miller Invitational this weekend.  This was the last meet to ever be  held in the historic Ahearn Fieldhouse which began in the 1950's.  The competition was limited to teams we truly appreciate the opportunities provided by Kansas State track & field.  Traveling a smaller than normal group as we begin to transition to our outdoor season left no one disappointed" stated head coach Jill Lancaster.

Northwestern Track & Field had two top three finishers in the women's 60m dash led by Brianna Brantley with a time of 7.72 placing second overall in the event. This became Brantley's new personal record along with setting the school record in the 60m dash. She was followed by Shackera Douglas for third place as Douglas finished with a 7.82 time.

Next for the Rangers was Gina Wilson running in the Women's 200 meter finishing with a 27.95 placing in 12th place overall in the event. The 27.95 mark for Wilson set a new personal best for the Oklahoma native.

 Ladasheray Bell won the 400 meters event placing in first place with a time of 1:00.58. The mark of 1:00.58 won the event along with setting a new personal best and new school record for the 400m dash.

"The team produced two school records and six personal best with an additional two performances tying their previous best marks.  Make no doubt our program held its own in this elite field.  As exciting as this is, our coaching staff is looking forward to the outdoor season that lies ahead.  There is no doubt in our minds that this team will continue to turn heads and look to bigger things at the GAC Conference Championships in May", Coach Lancaster mentioned about the team's weekend performance.

The Rangers had two top three finishers in the Women's 600y as Kate Foster and Mallory Paruszewski placed second and third. Foster finished with a 1:41.83 time as Paruszewski finished third with a time of 1:49.52.

In the high jump Northwestern had two places in the top seven as Takia Zachary finished in fourth place after a mark of 1.48m. Wilson finished in seventh place in the high jump for her new personal best in the event.

The long jump Valerie Nzeakor won the long jump event for the Rangers with a first place finish with a mark of 5.45m. This mark for a first place finish tied her personal best for Nzeakor. Gina Wilson also competed in the event placing sixth with a mark of 4.53m.

Ladasheray Bell finished in second place in the triple jump with a final mark of 10.55m.

In the shot put event Northwestern had three places in a row all falling within the top 15 as Emmalee Osborn placed 10th with a mark of 10.22m. Mackayla Womack finished 11th with a mark of 9.88m and Temi Michaels placed 12th at 8.89m

Kelsey Swindle placed 13th in the weight throw after finishing with a 12.37m for Northwestern.

Jasmin Garcia finished seventh in the 1000 meter event running a time of 3:28.72 for the Rangers. Garcia continued to pace the Rangers finishing the 1 mile run in 8th place with a final mark of 6:08.84. Leiyah Light ran the mile as well finishing at 6:36.88 for 10th place in the mile.

Liberty Goodnow was the Rangers leader in the 3000 meters as she placed 10th with a final time of 11:56.51 followed by Addie Hoeme in 12th with a time of 13:11.57.

Events:

Women's 60M:

2. Brianna Brantley 7.72 (SR & PR)

3. Shackera Douglas 7.82

Women's 200M 

12. Gina Wilson 27.95 (PR)

Women's 400M:

1. Ladasheray Bell 1:00.58 (SR & PR)

Women's 600y: 

2. Kate Foster 1:41.83 

3. Mallory Paruszewski 1:49.52

Women's 1000M:

7. Jasmin Garcia 3:28.72

Women's 1 Mile Run: 

8. Jasmin Garcia 6:08.84 (PR)

10. Leiyah Light 6:36.88

Women's 3000M 

10. Liberty Goodnow 11:56.51 (PR)

12. Addie Hoeme 13:11.57 (PR)

Women's High Jump:

4. Takia Zachary 1.48m 

7. Gina Wilson 1.48m

Women's Long Jump: 

1. Valerie Nzeakor 5.45m 

6. Gina Wilson 4.53m

Women's Triple Jump: 

2. Ladasheray Bell 10.55m

Women's Shot Put:

10. Emmalee Osborn 10.22m 

11. Mackayla Womack 9.88m 

12. Temi Michaels 8.89m

Weight Throw: 

13. Kelsey Swindle 12.37m