Cowgirls Run 4x400 Relay School Record in Texas Invite Finale

Friday, April 30

Austin, TX

ALL DAY

Oklahoma State University

Texas Invitational

Cowgirls Run 4x400 Relay School Record in Texas Invite Finale

May 01, 2021 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

AUSTIN, Texas – In Oklahoma State's final day from the Texas Invitational, the Pokes put up a number of event-winning performances, the most notable among them being a program-record race for the Cowgirls' 4x400 meter relay unit.

"All around, it was a great weekend for our student-athletes," OSU Director of cross country and track & field Dave Smith said. "Despite the weather and schedule changes, we remained focused on the goals we set for this meet and executed well. We talk a lot about remaining unphased by the elements of competition that are out of our control, the weather certainly being one of those. So I'm really proud to see how resilient our student-athletes were, especially coming down this important stretch into the post-season."

As the meet came to a close with the men's and women's 4x400 meter relays, the Cowgirls made sure to leave Austin on the right note. Kalaya Ali, Nicolette Dixon, Christina Ollison and Aaliyah Birmingham combined for their second-straight 4x400 relay win, adding to their duel-style event win over Oklahoma at the John Jacobs Invitational last week. Their official time – 3:34.42 – is the fastest ever by a Cowgirl relay unit.

"Giles [McDonnell] always seems to have his sprinters running their best times when it matters most," Smith said. "I was really impressed to see Aaliyah [Birmingham], Christina [Ollison] Nickie [Dixon] and Kalaya [Ali] run so well in the open 400, then turn around and race the school record in the relay. I think when they're running on fresh legs, they can shave even more time off that record."

"The 4x4 has been a challenge for the ladies this season," OSU sprints coach Giles McDonnell said. "They have faced some unusual adversity that has made lining up at full strength a challenge. Circumstance has placed the ladies in a tough spot, and they have responded beautifully. Regardless of the adversity they've seen on meet day, be it unfavorable weather, schedule changes, or an athlete collision during warmups, whichever lady we've asked to step up has taken seriously the responsibility of pushing the relay to faster times. Whether it's Christina, Kalaya, Michaela [Travers], Nickie or Aaliyah, they have all been ready when called upon. I'm just proud of what they have accomplished. The four ladies that ran on the A squad today competed well, so it is good to see this accomplishment. We're all excited for what this means for the rest of the season."

Also in the latter half of the second day from Mike A. Myers Stadium, the Cowboys left their mark on the men's shot put. Michael Releford earned the first event win of his collegiate career with a remarkable personal best 17.95m throw.

The mark is nearly an entire meter farther than his previous career best of 17.05m. Oklahoma State multis event coach Josh Langley is hopeful for Releford's future as he continues to progress in his young career and inch closer to breaking the 18-meter-barrier.

"Mike is starting to show the Big 12 what we see every day," Langley said. "I was excited to see him throw so well today and look forward to him becoming consistent at that level."

Joining Releford toward the top of the pack in the men's shot put, Torrey Hickel claimed the third-place finish with a 17.65m throw.

Adding to the Pokes' all-around success at the Texas Invitational, Saara Hakanen claimed the event crown in the women's high jump with an outdoor season best 1.76m mark.

In the women's 400 meters, the Cowgirls sprinters got a chance to show out as individual racers before teaming up for the 4x400 relay win. Birmingham paced the Cowgirls with a 52.67 time that claimed her the third-place finish. Ollison and Dixon joined her in the top-10, taking fifth place and 10th-place, respectively.

The men's 800 meters was fruitful for a trio of underclassmen Cowboys. Freshman Triston Read led the way for the middle-distance men, finishing in fourth with a personal best 1:53.22 pace. Fellow freshman Cooper Newsome (1:56.20) crossed the line in ninth and sophomore Kobe Christiansen (1:56.21) rounded out the group in 10th.

As the Pokes return home from Austin, they have the Arkansas Twilight to look forward to, hosted at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on May 7.

Men's Individual Results

Javelin Throw
6. Jake Dyer - 44.58m

Long Jump
12. Max Braht - 6.31m

1,500 Meters
2. Isaiah Priddey - 3:44.12
3. Garrett Calhoun - 3:44.60
4. Alex Stitt - 3:44.88
5. Kian Davis - 3:46.82
6. Chris Middleton-Pearson - 3:48.15

Discus Throw
5. Torrey Hickel - 50.39m
10. Jake Dyer - 38.52m
13. Sam Mason - 31.32m

Hammer Throw
3. Sam Mason - 46.90m

400 Meters
5. Ashton Hicks - 46.56
10. DJ McArthur - 47.46
12. Cash Merutka - 48.11

800 Meters
4. Triston Read - 1:53.22
8. Cooper Newsome - 1:56.20
9. Kobe Christiansen - 1:56.21

Shot Put
1. Michael Releford - 17.95m
3. Torrey Hickel - 17.65m

Women's Individual Results

Javelin Throw
2. Kelsey Kehl - 50.57m
4. Bailey Golden - 41.06m

Long Jump
8. Saara Hakanen - 5.85m
15. Megan Mann - 5.20m

200 Meters
19. Christina Ollison - 24.18
23. Brooke Givens - 24.83
30. Megan Mann - 26.56

Hammer Throw
2. Hannah Bradford - 51.52m

Discus Throw
2. Hannah Bradford - 49.13m
– Erin Talbott - NM

High Jump
1. Saara Hakanen - 1.76m

400 Meters
3. Aaliyah Birmingham - 52.67
5. Christina Ollison - 53.11
10. Nicolette Dixon - 53.68
18. Kalaya Ali - 55.63

100 Meters
23. Brooke Givens - 12.26

800 Meters
9. Maddie Meiner - 2:31.15
10. Bailey Golden - 2:31.32

Pole Vault
4. Elissa Ray - 3.90m

400 Meter Hurdles
7. Michaela Travers - 1:00.85

4x400 Meter Relay
1. Oklahoma State - 3:34.42
(K. Ali, N. Dixon, C. Ollison, A. Birmingham)