OSU Track and Field Opens Season at Bob Timmons Challenge

OSU Track and Field Opens Season at Bob Timmons Challenge

November 29, 2018 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

Meet Information
• Event - Bob Timmons Challenge
• Times - Track Events start at 3 p.m. on Friday; Throwing Events start at 1 p.m. on Friday
• Facility - Anschutz Pavillion
Meet Notes

The Basics
   The Oklahoma State track and field team opens its 2019 season Friday at the Bob Timmons Challenge.
   This is the first time OSU freshman will be competing and the first time since the Big 12 Championships, whcih took place from May 11-13, that OSU will compete in a meet with athletes competing across the board.
   OSU kicked off the 2018 Indoor Season at the K-State Winter Invitational, but instead will travel to Lawrence, Kansas, to compete in the Bob Timmons Challenge to begin the 2019 Indoor Season.

Follow the Meet
   Fans can follow the action live on Twitter by following @run4okstate for updates. Final results will be published on www.okstate.com, along with a recap of OSU's day on the course.

Coach Langley on the Meet
On his thoughts on the first meet of the year
"I don't think we're looking for huge performances. We're looking for the competitiveness to come out. For a lot of these kids, they've been training since late August or September. It's a chance for them to execute some of the changes they've been making and be in a different environment. It's kind of a rust-buster. It's a trip to get into uniform for the first time for some of these kids. It's exciting no matter if it's the first meet of the year or Big 12s. The chance to put on the uniform is special."

Distance Medley Masters
   Coming into the season, the Cowboys and the Cowgirls appear to once again be in the mix for a national title in the Distance Medley Relay.
   The Cowboys don't return any members of their best DMR team from 2018, but they have reloaded. Ashenafi Hatte and Isai Rodriguez return and could play key roles in the Cowboys' run at a DMR title. Both finished the cross country season as All-Americans.
   In 2017, Hatte earned three All-Big 12 awards at the conference championships. On the other hand, Rodriguez only ran in two races.
   The Cowgirls bring back most of their DMR team, losing only Ambra Wesley, who ran the 400-meter leg of the race. All-Americans Kaylee Dodd and Molly Sughroue, and Big 12 champion Ariane Ballner all return.
   Stepping into the 400-meter role figures to be one of two athletes. Nicolette Dixon and Glorilisha Carter are excellent options for OSU.
   Carter is a transfer athlete from Texas A&M. In her time in College Station, Texas, Carter was a member of two All-American 4X400-meter relay teams. Coming into the 2019 season, her best 400 meters' time is 53.40.
   Dixon is a true sophomore, but has potential to fit into that 400-meter leg. She was a member of the 4X400-meter relay team that set the OSU outdoor record in the event last year and her personal best entering 2019 is 54.24.
   Not only did the Cowgirls reload in the sprints, they have added dynamic firepower in Sinclaire Johnson.
   Johnson had a breakout outdoor season in 2018. She made it to the NCAA Championships in the 1,500 meters and won two races during the most recent cross country campaign.
   All-in-all, OSU will once again be in the hunt for a DMR title.

Sprints Group on the Rise
   The sprints group has been on the rise since Giles McDonnell took over three years ago and it is still trending upward.
   McDonnell brought in key recruits and transfer athletes to bolster his squad again.
   The biggest addition figures to be Glorilisha Carter who comes to Stillwater from Texas A&M. In her time as an Aggie, Carter was a member of two 4X400-meter teams that went on to win All-American honors.
   McDonnell also recruited and developed Nicolette Dixon to be a key runner for OSU. She was an integral member of the 4X400-meter relay team that set the outdoor record last year. She also owns two All-Bog 12 honors.
   On the men's side McDonnell brought in two transfers that will likely lead the way for the Cowboys' sprints group.
   Wyatt Duvall comes into the program from Abilene Christian and Martino Falls spent his first year at American River College. Both are highly highly touted runners and figure to lead the way for the Cowboys.
   He also brought in one of the best recruiting classes in OSU sprints history. Justin Long, Ashton Hicks and Lakyron Mays all were top-20 400-meter runners in high school
   Chuba Hubbard is also a member of the Cowboys' sprints group. Hubbard is also a running back on the football team. This season, his speed and agility helped him put together a nice redshirt-freshman campaign. In the regular season, Hubbard played in all 12 games, rushed for 620 yards and six touchdowns.
   McDonnell is leading the way for this young, but talented group which figures to improve once again in 2019.