Corky Classic ?
Hear from head coach @WesKittley on his thoughts on a tremendous weekend opener!#WreckEm pic.twitter.com/JWCKfstQxf
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 15, 2023
In her season opener, Chukwuma ran a blistering 7.11, taking down her own school record of 7.17 before posting a 7.13 in the finals. The altitude conversion will make that 7.11 mark 7.13 which will lead the NCAAA. Meanwhile, for Roswell, the Jamaica native ran an 8.11 in her first heat before going 7.99 in the finals.
7??.1??1?? opener for Rosemary!!! Stop it! ??????
Just casually breaking her school record again??#WreckEm | @ChukwumaRosema1 pic.twitter.com/K1r7OuVYR8
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 14, 2023
Over on the men’s side, Nylo Clarke competed for the first time since May of 2021 after sitting out last season with an injury. In his first run, Clarke posted a 60m time of 6.67 to take his heat. Courtney Lindsey (6.62) and Jacolby Shelton (6.72) would finish third and sixth, respectively in the finals. Lindsey went on to claim first overall in the 200m (20.41).
Nylo Clarke has not competed since the end of the ’21 outdoor season. Today in his first heat, he ran a personal best in the 60m. True to the process??#WreckEm | @Ncmoney3 pic.twitter.com/46Vq0dKOl0
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 14, 2023
Zach Bradford was one centimeter shy of becoming the new school record holder as he topped out at 5.61m (18-4.75) in his Red Raider debut. Ryleigh Redding highlighted the women’s pole vault squad with a first place finish at 4.28m (13-8.50), a new personal best (PB).
Ryleigh Redding opened the ’22 season at 4.03m (13-2.50)
Her ’23 opener? 4.18m (13-8.50), in the process, a new personal best! Great job Ryleigh! #WreckEm | @RyleighRedding pic.twitter.com/Uc4Hv9P562
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) January 14, 2023
A few other notable debuts included freshman Shaemar Uter taking third in the 400m with a time of 47.16. In the 60m hurdles, Maryland transfer Caleb Dean ran a 7.72 for the top finals spot. His 7.69 first round time moved him to No. 10 on Tech’s all-time events list.
Malin Smith and Field Gatlin finished third and second, respectively, in the women’s shot put. Gatlin’s throw of 15.59m (51-1.75) proved to be a new PB.
Both Chris Welch and Onaara Obamuwagun each placed first in the triple jump.
Texas Tech is back in action next Friday, Jan. 20 to host the stacked Red Raider Open that will feature nine Power 5 programs.