OSU Track & Field Kicks Off Outdoor Season with Trip to Waco

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State track & field begins its 2023 outdoor campaign Friday and Saturday as it travels to Waco, Texas, for the Baylor Invitational.

Several field event athletes headline the lineup for the Cowboys and Cowgirls as the throwers and multi-event athletes kick off their seasons.

"I know the athletes are ready to get the outdoor season started," Assistant Throws/Multis/Vaults Coach Josh Langley said. "It's been a few weeks since they've felt the rush of competition and they are all pulling at the chain to be cut loose finally."

2022 NCAA Outdoor Championship qualifiers Bailey Golden and Olivija Vaitaityte compete outdoors for the first time since becoming the first two OSU multis to qualify for the national meet. They will compete in the Long Jump Friday and the Javelin and 400 Meters Saturday. Golden currently holds the school record both indoors and outdoors in the Long Jump, both of which coming at the last two Big 12 Championship meets.

"Bailey is opening up the year with the long jump, hoping to knock out an NCAA prelim qualifier in the process," Langley said. "She'll come back on Saturday with the javelin, which is probably her favorite event. She's rested and healed up after her Herculean effort at Big 12 indoors."

Four-time All-Conference honoree Philip Frank will be making his official Cowboy debut this weekend after spending the past three season at Texas. He and freshman Crayton Shaw will be competing in three events apiece as they prepare for the Decathlon later this season.

"Philip Frank starts off his Cowboy career this weekend," Langley said. "I'm excited to have someone elevate our young tradition in the multi events, especially on the men's side. He's got a lot of experience at the Big 12 level and I look forward to him leading the way for this group."

OSU throwers Sam Mason, Hannah Bradford and Rachel Neaves will be making their season debuts (and career debut for Neaves) in multiple events with all three competing in the Hammer Throw Friday. Mason and Bradford will also compete in the Discus Throw on Friday, with Bradford and Neaves returning for the Shot Put on Saturday.

"I'm excited to see Rachel Neaves open up her college career after redshirting indoors," Langley said. "She has made some impressive progress during the fall in the hammer, which I feel is her event with the most potential."

2021 Honorable Mention All-American Saara Hakanen enters her third outdoor season second in school history in both the High and Triple Jump. The six-time All-Big 12 honoree will compete in the High Jump Saturday.

Nate Nuthman (Javelin) and Sarah Stair (Pole Vault) will be making their outdoor debuts in the orange and black this weekend, with Stair already cracking the top 5 in school history in the vault during the indoor season.

For more information on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, continue to check back with okstate.com.

OSU Track & Field Kicks Off Outdoor Season with Trip to Waco

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Players Mentioned

Philip Frank

Sam Mason

Nate Nuthman

Crayton Shaw

Oklahoma State University Athletics