Gorillas Score In 11 Men's Events, 9 Women's Events En Route To Second Consecutive Program Sweep

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Photos by Pittsburg State

If the NCAA offered a chance at promotion based on successful results, it'd be time to consider Pittsburg State for Division 1. 

For the second year in a row, the Gorillas of Pittsburg State (Kan.). swept the team championships at the NCAA D2 Indoor Track and Field Champonships. The men scored 75.5 points and the women 69.5 over the weekend at Virginia Beach. 

It was the second straight victory for the women, fourth straight for the men. 

Grand Valley State's men finished second, followed by Wingate Bulldogs in third.

Pittsburg State freshman Ilias Garcia won the 60 meters in 6.58 seconds, Dylan Sprecker won the mile (4:11.92) and the distance medley relay team won a photo-finish close race against Indianapolis after both were timed in 9:39.95.

Justin Forde of Washburn jumped 53-5.50 to win the triple jump. 

William Opare of Angelo State won the 400 in 45.67 seconds and anchored the winning 4x400 relay (3:07.22).

Luca Poppe of Wingate won a distance double by taking the 5,000 (13:47.22) and th 3,000 (7:57.14).

In the women’s standings, West Texas A&M Buffaloes was second, with Adams State third.

Pittsburg State got big points in the field events where it got a wins Jazmine Williamson in the high jump (5-10.75) and Isabelle and Breanne Peters went 1-2 in the pole vault (14-6 and 14-4), 

CSU-Pueblo broke the meet record in the distance medley relay with its time of 11:08.20. 

Ashland dominated the women's weight throw, with Leslie Pollock throwing 69-0.75 (21.05m) to defeat teammate Molly Winner. 

Freshman Grace Davis of Converse won the 60-meter dash in 7.26 seconds. 

Blessing Akintoye of West Texas A&M won the 400 meters final in 52.87.