Top-Five Finish From Birmingham Headlines OSU’s Day at Michael Johnson Invite

Friday, April 16

Waco, TX

ALL DAY

Oklahoma State University

Michael Johnson Invitational

Top-Five Finish From Birmingham Headlines OSU’s Day at Michael Johnson Invite

April 17, 2021 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

WACO, Texas – In the second of two away meets for Oklahoma State, Aaliyah Birmingham's top-five finish in the women's premier 100 meters was the highlight of the Pokes' day at the Michael Johnson Invitational.

Despite a rough patch of weather disrupting the second day of competition in Waco, Birmingham remained unphased and executed well in a field of incredible talent, including runners from New Balance, Nike and Adidas

The Tulsa-transfer senior clocked in at 11.48, the fastest time by any collegian in the field. The mark is second this season to only her 11.40 pace from the Texas Relays.

Also of note from the sprint unit's overall performance, Christina Ollison tabbed a top-ten finish in the 400 meters. The junior finished in a time of 55.08, a pace that earned her sixth place.

On the men's side of things, DJ McArthur recorded a new career best – 47.96 – on his way to a 10th-place finish in the men's 400 meters.

To wrap up the weekend for the Pokes, both the men's and women's 4x400 meter relay units tabbed top-five finishes. The Cowgirl relay team of Aaliyah Birmingham, Christina Ollison, Michaela Travers and Kalaya Ali combined for a fourth-place finish in a time of 3:38.20. The pace is the fifth-fastest by a Cowgirl relay unit and the second fastest of the season for the OSU women.

In the meet's final event, the men's relay team of Cash Merutka, DJ McArthur, Cooper Newsome and Kobe Christiansen followed the Cowgirls' lead and clocked in at 3:13.70, a time that earned them the fifth-place finish.

As the sprints specialist make their way back to Stillwater, they'll rejoin their field event focused teammates and refocus on a busy week of competition upcoming. The distance-minded Pokes will travel north for the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa; Oklahoma State will also send athletes to compete at the John Jacobs Invitational at Oklahoma and the John McDonnell Invitational at Arkansas.

Men's Individual Results

800 Meters
17. Cooper Newsome - 1:55.23
21. Kobe Christiansen - 1:56.46

400 Meters
10. DJ McArthur - 47.96
17. Ashton Hicks - 48.52
25. Cash Merutka - 49.13

400 Meter Hurdles
12. Calahan Newsome - 54.94

4x400 Meter Relay
5. Oklaoma State - 3:13.70
(C. Merutka, D. McArthur, Co. Newsome, K. Christiansen)

Women's Individual Results

100 Meters
5. Aaliyah Birmingham - 11.48
24. Brooke Givens - 12.15

400 Meters
6. Christina Ollison - 55.08
12. Nicolette Dixon - 56.02
20. Kalaya Ali - 57.46

400 Meter Hurdles
12. Michaela Travers - 1:02.33

200 Meters
16. Brooke Givens - 25.07

4x400 Meter Relay
4. Oklahoma State - 3:38.20
(A. Birmingham, C. Ollison, M. Travers, K. Ali)