Pokes Conclude Arkansas Qualifier, Larson Wins 800 Meters

Friday, February 21

Fayetteville, AR

11:00 a.m.

Oklahoma State University

Arkansas Qualifier

Pokes Conclude Arkansas Qualifier, Larson Wins 800 Meters

February 21, 2020 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

FAYETTEVILLE – The Oklahoma State track and field teams wrapped up competition at the Arkansas Qualifier in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Friday evening inside the Randal Tyson Track Center, where Kaytlyn Larson's win in the 800 meters highlighted the day for the Pokes.

Larson, a senior, ran a near-personal best time of 2:06.72 to win the 800-meter race. Larson's time clocked in at fourth-fastest within the Big 12 Conference this season.

"I'm really excited about the way Kat [Larson] ran today. She's shown flashes of this for a while, but she underwent a long-term injury and I think she's finally back now to where she left off at a couple of years ago," head coach Dave Smith said. "Today, she ran with a lot of poise and confidence. I think she's ready to do much bigger things and she's really looking forward to the conference meet next weekend."

Cowgirl sprinter Aaliyah Birmingham continued her strong indoor season with a fourth-place finish in the 60 meters. Birmingham ran 7.39 to win her preliminary heat and improved her time to 7.37 in the final, finishing first among collegians.

Bailey Golden and Hannah Bradford each turned in a top-four finish for the Cowgirls in their respective field events. Golden was the runner-up in the high jump while Bradford's 16.80-meter heave in the weight throw was good enough to take fourth place. Another strong performance by a Cowgirl field athlete came from Elissa White, who cleared 3.75 meters in the pole vault to finish seventh.

For the Cowboys, Kurtis Cotton had his best day of the indoor season thus far as he advanced to the 60-meter final where he ran a season-best time of 6.86 to finish fifth. In the 800 meters, Kobe Christiansen ran a personal-best time of 1:55.85 to place fourth.

In the 3,000 meters, Daniel Nickell Jr., Nicholas Kenville and Wyatt Landis all finished inside the top-10. Nickell led the way for the Cowboys finishing third, Kenville rounded out the top five and Landis finished eighth.

OSU is back in action tomorrow as a small group will compete at the Alex Wilson Invitational in South Bend, Indiana, at the Loftus Sports Center.

Men's Individual Results

Men's Long Jump
13. Joshua Anadu – 6.63m
16. Jack Fling – 6.25m

Pole Vault
13. Jack Fling – 4.50m

60-Meter Hurdles
22. Jack Fling – 9.62

60 Meters (prelims)
7. Kurtis Cotton – 6.93q

60 Meters (final)
5. Kurtis Cotton – 6.86

800 Meters
4. Kobe Christiansen – 1:55.85

3,000 Meters
3. Daniel Nickell Jr. – 8:46.84
5. Nicholas Kenville – 8:53.36
8. Wyatt Landis – 9:10.59

Women's Individual Results

Pole Vault
7. Elissa White – 3.75m

High Jump
2. Bailey Golden – 1.60m

Shot Put
11. Hannah Bradford – 12.05m
14. Bailey Golden – 10.80m

Weight Throw
4. Hannah Bradford – 16.80m
12. Baylor Nelson – 14.78m
-- Jocelen Ruth - FOUL

60-Meter Hurdles
18. Elaina Noll – 10.85

60 Meters (prelims)
3. Aaliyah Birmingham – 7.39Q

60 Meters (final)
4. Aaliyah Birmingham – 7.37

400 Meters
11. Gabija Galvydyte – 56.73

800 Meters
1. Kaytlyn Larson – 2:06.72
9. Michaela Travers – 2:15.43
11. Rilee Rigdon – 2:18.28

Mile
7. Emily Forster – 5:11.14
8. Katherine Ruck – 5:16.07
9. Kaylee Oyler – 5:20.31

4x400-Meter Relay
3. Oklahoma State – 3:46.33
(Aaliyah Birmingham, Gabija Galvydyte, Michaela Travers, Kalaya Ali)