April 9, 2010

Farley, Griffith finish first at Tiger Heptathlon/Decathlon

Demonstrating their strength in multiple events, Cowley College track and field athletes Richelle Farley and Mac Griffith (pictured) finished first at the Tiger Heptathlon/Decathlon held Wednesday and Thursday at the Tiger Track and Field Complex.

“It was a good two days for us,” Cowley head coach Mark Phillips said. “To win both events and beat some Division I athletes was a pretty good deal. Things are really coming together for both Richelle and Mac.”

Farley not only won the heptathlon by more than 200 points over runner-up, Jamie Pruter of Wichita State University, she also set a school-record in the event by finishing with 4,135 points.

Farley, who broke her own school record in the 100-meter hurdles (15.18) on Wednesday, set personal best marks in the shot put (30-2 ¼) and javelin (69-4).

“Richelle is just a tremendous athlete,” Phillips said.

Griffith, the returning conference champion in the decathlon, looked strong as ever in winning the men’s competition by 38 points over runner-up, Toby Boese. Griffith was in third place after the first day of the event but came away victorious by placing first in the javelin (164-4) and placing second in the pole vault, 110-meter hurdles, and 1,500-meter run on Thursday.

“His second day of the event is always his strongest day,” Phillips said.

Cowley’s Kameron Conely returned to competition for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury at the Region VI Indoor meet, and placed fourth in the decathlon with 5,344 points.

“It was real nice to have Kameron back out there,” Phillips said.
Adrian Porter, who placed first in the long jump (22-10) and was seco
nd in the decathlon after the first day of the event, did not compete on Thursday as a precautionary measure.

“He had a heck of a first day but we did not want to risk him getting injured and kill his chances at qualifying for nationals in the long jump,” Phillips said.

Lady Tiger sophomore Kate Scott won the javelin portion of the heptathlon with a throw of 98-2 and finished ninth overall with 2,722 points.

Heptathlon events consisted of the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200-meter dash, long jump, javelin throw, and 800-meter run.

The decathlon athletes competed in the 100-meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400-meter run, 110-meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and 1,500-meter run.

Schools represented at the meet were, Cowley College, Wichita State University, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Cloud County Community College, Butler Community College, Coffeyville Community College, Highland Community College, and Hutchinson Community College.

The Tiger track and field teams will compete at Wichita State University’s K.T. Woodman Classic today and Saturday, with Saturday’s competition beginning at 10 a.m.

Cowley is one of the few junior colleges selected to compete at the meet.

“Our jumpers and field event kids will look to hit big marks, and our distance runners will use the meet as a stepping stone towards the KU Relays next week,” Phillips said.

Women’s results: (1) Richelle Farley, Cowley, 4,135 points, school record; (2) Jamie Pruter, Wichita State, 3,930 points; (3) Witney Sorell, Wichita State, 3,792 points; (4) Megan Elder, Highland, 3,524 points; (5) Maggie Terrel, Cloud County, 3,275 points; (6) Janelle Mason, Butler, 3,114 points; (7) Vynessa Smith, Coffeyville, 3,091 points; (8) Jessi Reichenberger, Butler, 3,030 points; (9) Kate Scott, Cowley, 2,722 points.

Men’s results: (1) Mac Griffith, Cowley, 6,177 points; (2) Toby Boese, unattached, 6,139 points; (3) Alex Freshour, Wichita State, 5,621 points; (4) Kameron Conely, Cowley, 5,344 points; (5) Kyle Zabokrtsky, Cloud, 5,187 points; (6) Rich Brown, Oklahoma Wesleyan, 4,710 points; (7) Darious Martinez, Coffeyville, 4,225 points; (8) Marcus Pratt, Cloud, 4,103 points; (9) Nick Schmelze, Cloud, 3,737 points; (10) Ashton Ousley, Coffeyville, 3,728 points.