By: Hunter McKay

Outdoor Meet 11: Kennesaw State at 2025 NCAA East First Rounds

Starting Blocks

The Kennesaw State track and field teams will be well represented with a program-high 24 athletes competing in 16 events at the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The University of North Florida will play host to the NCAA Championships East First Rounds from May 28-31 in Jacksonville. The men will compete on May 27 and May 29 while the women compete on May 28 and May 30. Athletes who rank among the top 48 in their respective events earn berths into the NCAA Championships. The best 24 relay times also advanced to NCAA Championships. Athletes with the top 12 times/marks and the best 12 relay teams at both the East and West First Rounds will advance for the semifinals/finals of the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon May 11-14. There is no decathlon or heptathlon competition at this part of the NCAA Championships. The top 24 decathlon and heptathlon marks in the nation earn an automatic berth to the finals of the NCAA Championships.

 

LAST TEAM OUTDOOR MEET
The Kennesaw State men’s and women’s track and field teams completed competition at the Conference USA Outdoor Championships by earning the school’s second CUSA title.
The KSU men’s team collected its first Conference USA Outdoor Track and Field Championship scoring 216.5 points in the three-day meet. The Owls also concluded the Liberty men’s run of 17-consecutive outdoor titles at the Division I level. KSU and Liberty’s 5.5-point differential was the closest CUSA Outdoor Championship finish since 2006. Cale McDaniel was named CUSA Men’s Coach of the Year.  
 
NEXT UP
 Athletes with the top 12 times/marks and the best 12 relay teams at both the East and West First Rounds sites will qualify for the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore. The decathlon and heptathlon will not be held during the NCAA Preliminary Rounds. Instead, the top 24 decathlon and heptathlon scores in the nation earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Championship site.
 
NEWS AND NOTES
» The Owls have the top marks in CUSA in eight events on the men’s side and two events on the women’s side.
 
» KSU enters the weekend ranked 10th (men) and 11th (women) in the NCAA South Region.
 
Keep up with Owls track and field teams by following KSU on Twitter at @KSUOwlNation and @KSUTrackFieldXC, on Instagram @ksuowlstrackxc or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook.
 

An LBC native, Mike Guardabascio has been covering Long Beach sports professionally for 13 years, with his work published in dozens of Southern California magazines and newspapers. He’s won numerous awards for his writing as well as the CIF Southern Section’s Champion For Character Award, and is the author of three books about Long Beach history.

http://The562.org

Nebraska track and field will have 52 entries competing at the NCAA West Preliminary Round this week at E.B. Cushing Stadium in College Station, Texas. 

Athletes who rank among the top 48 in their respective events earned berths into the NCAA West Preliminary Round, as well as the 24 best relay times.

The top 12 competitors from each individual event and the top 12 teams from each relay event will advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, hosted in Eugene, Ore. The list of qualifiers from each event contested in the first rounds will be announced by 4 p.m. (CT) on Sunday, June 1. The final list of the championships competition participants will be announced by 2 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, June 3.

The four-day regional meet will have the men compete on Wednesday and Friday, while the women will compete on Thursday and Saturday. 

NCAA West Preliminary Round Meet Information
Dates: May 28-31
Location: College Station, Texas (E.B. Cushing Stadium)
Times (CT): Wednesday – Field Events: 10 a.m. / Running Events: 6 p.m.; Thursday – Field Events: 10 a.m. / Running Events: 6 p.m.; Friday – Field Events: 1 p.m. / Running Events: 5 p.m.; Saturday – Field Events: 1 p.m. / Running Events: 5 p.m.
Meet Schedule: Link 
Watch: ESPN+
Live Results: Link

Men (21)
1. Keyshawn Strachan, Javelin, 81.01m (265-9)
1. Tyus Wilson, High Jump, 2.25m (7-4 ½)
2. Arthur Petersen, Javelin, 78.91m (258-11)
4. Dash Sirmon, Javelin, 78.26m (256-9)
5. Dyson Wicker, Pole Vault, 5.55m (18-2 ½)
5. Cade Moran, Shot Put, 19.90m (65-3 ½)
11. Maxwell Otterdahl, Discus, 59.12m (193-11)
13. Reid Nelson, High Jump, 2.17m (7-1 ½)
15. Brett Schwartz, Discus, 58.79m (192-10)
16. Hayden Gorovitz, Javelin, 70.09m (229-11)
17. Maxwell Otterdahl, Shot Put, 19.18m (62-11 ¼) 
17. Mason Kooi, High Jump, 2.16m (7-1)
21. Niko Schultz, 800m, 1:47.39
23. Cade Moran, Discus, 57.59m (188-11)
24. Kavian Kerr, 100m, 10.19
25. Pradeep Senthilkumar, 800m, 1:47.59
29. Desire Tonye-Nyemeck, High Jump, 2.12m (6-11 ½)
37. Kavian Kerr, Long Jump, 7.60m (24-11 ¼) 
41. Seth Schnakenberg, Hammer Throw, 63.10m (207-0)
47. James Ledbetter, 400mH, 51.29
58. Gabe Nash, 800m, 1:48.67

Women (30)
2. Maddie Harris, Javelin, 59.12m (193-11)
5. Jenna Rogers, High Jump, 1.88m (6-2)
7. Kalynn Meyer, Discus, 58.29m (191-3)
9. Eniko Sara, Javelin, 55.78m (183-0)
9. Karsyn Leeling, High Jump, 1.85m (6-0 ¾)
10. Kalynn Meyer, Shot Put, 17.44m (57-2 ¾)
13. Jenessa Ruder, Javelin, 53.95m (177-0)
18. Kellyn Kortemeyer, Shot Put, 16.89m (55-5)
19. Lishanna Ilves, Long Jump, 6.34m (20-9 ¾)
20. Jacelyn Neighbors, Pole Vault, 4.32m (14-2)
22. Kylie Clark-Fox, Pole Vault, 4.31m (14-1 ¾)
22. Darby Thomas, 100m, 11.27
22. Ali Bainbridge, 10000m, 33:24.07
22. Cammy Garabian, Hammer Throw, 62.80m (206-0)
29. Hillevi Carlsson, Hammer Throw, 60.12m (197-3)
29. Velecia Williams, Triple Jump, 12.92m (42-4 ¾)
29. Brooklyn Miller, High Jump, 1.79m (5-10 ½)
29. Riley Masten, High Jump, 1.79m (5-10 ½)
31. Velecia Williams, Long Jump, 6.28m (20-7 ¼)
32. Sage Burbach, Shot Put, 16.15m (53-0)
33. Berlyn Schutz, 1500m, 4:14.98
33. Lauren St. Peters, Discus, 53.20m (174-6)
36. Amelia Flynt, Shot Put, 15.95m (52-4)
36. Arina Razina, Pole Vault, 4.20m (13-9 ¼)
38. Kellyn Kortemeyer, Discus, 52.99m (173-10)
43. Amelia Flynt, Discus, 52.45m (172-1)
44. Ali Bainbridge, 5000m, 15:54.16
48. Berlyn Schutz, 5000m, 15:57.43
51. Ela Velepec, High Jump, 1.76m (5-9 ¼) 
53. Kelsie Belquist, 400m, 53.54

St. Laurence’s Harley Rizzs became the first individual track champion in program history when he won the Class 2A 100 meters last year.

Not only is he gunning for a repeat, he and the Vikings are trying to bring home their first state trophy after missing out on a third-place state finish by one point last year.

The Vikings have plenty of firepower heading into the IHSA state meet, which starts May 29 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

At the Ridgewood Sectional on May 21, Rizzs won the 100 in 10:81 seconds, just ahead of teammate Monroe Thompson Jr., who finished second at 11.08.

In the 200, Viking Joey Philip won with a 22.36 and Rizzs was right next to him with a 22.47.

Luis Flores won the 1,600 with a 4:40.62 and the 3,200 with a 9:46.77.

The Vikings’ 4×100 relay team of Thompson, Rizzs, Isaiah Little and Philip finished first with a 42.85 while the 4×200 relay team of Rizz, Jacob Diaz, Little and Philip won with a 1:30.42.

Also at Ridgewood, Chicago Christian’s Zachary Van Wyk won the 110 hurdles with a 14.88 and the high jump at 6 feet, 1.5 inches.

At St. Rita, Mount Carmel sophomore twins Michael and Gabriel Valerio finished first and second in the 400 with Michael recording a 51.44 and his brother almost matching him with a 51.58.

Caravan senior Benaiah Burks won the 110 hurdles with a :15.83 and junior Victor Friar claimed the 300 hurdles with a 41.34.

The 4×400 relay team of Jason Isais, the Valerio twins and Friar won with a 3:36.92.

At the Evergreen Park Sectional, Mustang Genesis Ward won the discus with a throw of 138-4.25. Teammate Ellis Jackson won the high jump with a 6-2.

In Class 3A at East Aurora, Sandburg junior Mateo Ramiro-Garcia was a champion in the 800 with a 1:53.14.

At Lyons, Marist’s Matt McKee was a sectional champ in the 1,600 with a 4:19.19 while teammate Patrick Wynn won the triple jump with a 44-5.5.

Brother Rice’s Gavin O’Connor won the 3,200 with a 9:16.34 and teammate Al Crema won the shot put with a 51-11.25.

Lyons’ 4×800 relay team of Charles Ciesla, Tate Pavelka, Ethan Wugazzer and Tyler Gantt placed first with an 8:04.37. Argo’s Mauro Velasquez Jr. won the discus with a 136-10.

At St. Ignatius, Morton junior runners Alex Rodriguez and Orlando Sandoval finished first and second in the 1,600 with Rodriguez coming up with a 4:24.47 and Sandoval right by his side with a 4:24.65. Mustang Noah Bey won the 110 hurdles in 15.88. The 4×800 relay team of Miguel Flores, Christian Valadez, Sandoval and Rodriguez took first with a 7:51.32.

Making a splash

Lyons girls water polo took second in the state after a 6-5 loss to Stevenson in the championship game on May 24 at Stevenson.

Maya Mladjan scored two goals for the Lions, while Isabella Recker, Avery Watanabe and Maddie Wieczorkiewicz had one each.

In boys water polo, Brother Rice lost in the quarterfinals, 15-6 to eventual state champion Naperville North.

Sandburg, Reavis anglers head to state

Sandburg finished third in the Des Plaines River-Big Basin Marine Sectional for bass fishing with a 12.3-pound haul to qualify for the state meet. Nathan Uldrych and Andrius Stankus were on the qualifying boat.

Reavis also qualified with a ninth-place finish and a 7.15-pound haul. Cesar Peralta and Adrian Gasinski were on the advancing boat.

The state meet is June 6-7 at Lake Shelbyville in Shelby County.

Net gains

Although the area did not have a sectional champion, plenty of boys tennis players qualified for the state tournament, which starts May 29 at various sites in the northwest suburbs.

At the Class 2A Sandburg Sectional, state singles qualifiers were Marist’s Jake Klooster, Sandburg’s Aryan Vora and Stagg’s Emerson Kim, who finished second, third and fourth respectively.

Sandburg’s doubles teams of Eamonn McDevitt-Ryan Smith and Neel Patel-Nate Carandang finished third and fourth respectively to qualify.

At the Class 2A Hinsdale Central Sectional Lyons’ doubles teams of Jackson Albee-Rohan Nagale and Fred Chen-Mateja Nokic finished third and fourth respectively and junior Shay Sweigard finished fourth to qualify for state.

Brother Rice’s doubles team of Aidan Alving-Dominic Leodoro took fourth at the Class 1A U-High Sectional to qualify.

Nazareth’s Jack Nisivaco-Ethan Danko took third in the Class 1A Hinsdale South Sectional and qualified.

Soccer teams head to sectionals

Fifth-seeded Lyons won the Class 3A Reavis Regional with a 3-1 win over Fenwick on May 23.

Third-seeded Nazareth beat Elmwood Park 2-0 in the Class 2A Elmwood Park Regional.

Second-seeded De La Salle beat Mansueto 9-0 to win its own Class 2A regional.

Two area teams were still alive at the Class 2A Kankakee Sectional as second-seeded St. Laurence beat Ag. Science 3-0 in its own regional and fifth-seeded Evergreen Park knocked off Tinley Park 3-0 to win the Kankakee Regional.

Baseball, softball teams move on

In small-school action, Chicago Christian baseball and Horizon-McKinley softball won their own Class 2A regionals. 

The Knights beat Peotone 10-0 on May 24 and the Hawks blanked Cristo Rey 18-0 on May 23.

Related

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Eight UT Arlington track and field student-athletes made the trip to College Station with one goal in mind, move on from the NCAA West Regional and make the trip to Oregon for the 2025 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
 
The West Regionals begin on Wednesday, May 28, and run through Saturday, May 31, with the men’s events taking place on Wednesday and Friday while the women’s events fall on Thursday and Saturday. 
 
To make the final cut, the Mavericks must finish in the top 12 in their respective events at the West Regional.
 
All four day of the meet will be streamed on ESPN+ and you can follow along with live results here.
 
The Mavs will be represented in eight events with five on the men’s side (Alex Kalmar, Kash Powell, Randon Gray, Calen Jones & Hayden Wilson) and three on the women’s side (Adeyemi Talabi, Winnie Kipsang & Zaire Moore).
 
Adeyemi Talabi is the lone Mav to represent UTA in two separate events, competing in the women’s 100m dash and the women’s long jump. Talabi posted a new personal record of 11.36 in the 100m dash at the 2025 WAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships which catapulted her into the top 40 in the west region where she currently sits tied for 35th overall. At the WAC Outdoor Championships, Talabi also posted a personal best in the long jump with a mark of 6.17m which has her 50th in the west region.
 
UTA will be represented in the 800m on both the men’s and women’s side. The lone event that features multiple Mavs, Alex Kalmar and Kash Powell will compete in the men’s 800m. Kalmar’s time of 1:47.38 that he ran back in the beginning of May at the TCU Horned Frog Invitational has him currently as the 20th best time in the west. Powell’s time of 1:48.12 he ran back in mid-April at the Bryan Clay Invitational has him currently as the 42nd fastest in the west. On the women’s side, Winnie Kipsang currently has the 28th fastest time of 2:04.72 which she also ran at the TCU Horned Frog Invitational. This is Kipsang’s second straight year punching her ticket to the west regionals.
 
In the men’s high jump, Calen Jones makes his second straight trip to the west regionals. He currently sits 23rd overall in the west with a jump of 2.14m that he posted back at the start of May at the TCU Horned Frog Invitational. Jones’ mark has him ranked the highest in the west amongst all Mavs making the trip.
 
Randon Gray will be looking to return to Eugene where he finished 14th overall and was a Second Team All-American last season. Gray enters the west regionals sitting 26th overall with a mark of 5.33m which he reached at the 44 Farms Invitational back on April 11. Last season, Gray punched his ticket to Oregon on the first day of the west regionals.
 
In the men’s shot put, Hayden Wilson makes his first trip to the west regionals. The reigning WAC indoor and outdoor champion currently sits 40th in the west with a personal best mark of 18.33m which he threw back in late April at the Joe Gillespie Invitational.
 
Zaire Moore makes her second straight trip to the West First Round. The junior currently sits 48th in the west with a time 13.52 in the women’s 100m hurdles. The 13.52 is a personal record for Moore, which she ran at the 2025 WAC Outdoor Championships in which she received a bronze medal for her performance. Last year, she competed in the 400m hurdles at the west regionals.
 

– #BuckEm –

 
FOLLOW ALONG
For updates, behind-the-scenes photos, videos and more engaging and personal content, be sure to follow the UTA track and field and cross country teams on X (formally known as Twitter) (@UTAMavsTFXC), Instagram (@UTAMavsTFXC) and Facebook (/UTAMavsTFXC).
 

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