North Texas Daily

Clay Massey | Staff Writer

@Clay_FC

The Mean Green track and field team competed in the Houston Indoor Invitational on Friday and Saturday, picking up at least one podium position in an event both days.

Friday’s podium winner was senior Ngozi Nweke in women’s weight throw with a second place throw of 17.70 meters, a new school indoor record. Saturday’s podium finishers came in both field and running events.

“Coach Kelso has done a great job [with the throwers],” head coach Carl Sheffield said. “Most of the people in that group are seniors, so we’re going to miss them, but I think they’re going to go out with a bang. [Nweke] has really shown some perseverance and growth over her last few years here, and I really think that’s going to help her in Conference-USA.”

Senior Eddie Wilcox finished first in men’s high jump with a 2.10 meter jump, and the women’s 4×400 meter team picked a third place finish with a 3:53.25 time. Additionally, the 4×400 meter relay team of junior Jazmine Martin, grad-student Nadiyah El-Amin, and freshmen Kennedy Knight and Tiffany Tshilumba set its new season high.

Senior Bryce McAndrew and junior Australian native James Coleman finished second and third respectively in the men’s 3000 meter run. Their top three finishes should place them into the fast heat for the 3000 meter run going into C-USA play.

“We were paced to get into the fast heat for conference,” said McAndrew. “We accomplished that goal. It was a good race. We felt good during it and we are pleased with second and third place with the times we ran.”

North Texas picked up six more top-ten finishes in running events on Saturday. Freshman Baylee Nelson finished eighth in the women’s 800 meter with a 2:21.14 time along with her 19th place finish in the women’s one mile.

In the men’s 200 meter, North Texas picked up two top ten finishes with senior Connor Bey picking up a fifth place finish with a time of 1:55.96. Senior Kedron Sowells finished sixth with a 22.47 time.

Freshman Michael Johnson finished 10th in the men’s one mile with a 4:20.81, sophomore Christina Moralez grabbed eight in the women’s 3000 meter with a 10:09.18 and senior Alexander Hita finished fifth the men’s 800 meter with a 1:55.96.

“It was my first mile indoor,” said Johnson. “I feel like there’s a lot that could be worked on and improved really well. To me, I think finishing whatever place you finish is a good thing, but when you’re out there representing your school, it’s a different story.”