Track & Field Opens 2025 Outdoor Season at OBU Invitational
SHAWNEE, Okla. – The East Central University men's and women's track & field teams kicked off the 2025 outdoor season this past weekend at the Oklahoma Baptist Invitational, showcasing performances across various events.
OBU Invite Results
Men's Results:
The men's team recorded six top-ten finishes, with standout performances from
Peter Kipkemboi and
Melvin Kipkemboi, who each claimed first-place honors. Peter, the reigning GAC Men's Track & Field MVP, led the way with a victory in the 1500 meters, clocking a time of 3:57.90. Melvin followed suit with a dominant performance in the 5000 meters, finishing first in 14:48.53.
Amos Pkiach added another strong showing, finishing third in the 5000 meters with a time of 14:56.60.
Brian Mitei placed fourth in the 1500 meters, crossing the line in 3:59.47, while
Aspel Kiprob (15:12.17) and
Oliver Kiptoo (15:15.46) rounded out the top-ten in the 5000 meters with fifth and seventh place finishes, respectively.
In the field events,
Mekii Bell had the best showing, placing 19th in the shot put with a mark of 12.19m.
Jaxon Merchant followed in 22nd place with a throw of 11.60m, and
Cade Duvall finished 22nd in the javelin with a throw of 34.64m. Duvall, Merchant, and
Devionte Fuller also competed in the discus, placing 25th (31.79m), 28th (29.62m), and 29th (28.83m), respectively.
Notably, several athletes made their track & field debut for the Tigers, including
Ronnie Mukwada,
Curtis Johnson,
Nam Grant,
Caleb Hunter,
Aiden Sager,
Brian Mitei,
Cade Duvall, and
Devionte Fuller.
Women's Results:
The women's team recorded three top-ten finishes in their first meet of the season, with
Lexii Lecrone leading the way. The freshman made a strong debut, finishing 5th in the high jump with a mark of 1.60m, which currently ranks her fifth in the GAC.
Naomy Limatukei placed 7th in the 5000 meters with a time of 18:07.57, while
Kaylyn Cotner earned a 10th place finish in the high jump, clearing 1.55m, a personal improvement from her last competition with the Tigers.
Brenda Jepkoech finished 13th in the 5000 meters with a time of 19:31.11, while
Jolee McIntyre placed 28th in the 100 meters with a time of 13.21 seconds.
In the field events,
Zoe Grooms (1.50m) and
Emily Easter (1.40m) finished 16th and 20th, respectively, in the high jump. McIntyre also competed in the long jump, placing 21st with a mark of 5.07m. Freshmen
Abigail Jones,
Gracey Dotson, and
Maecee Kirtley rounded out the field performances with finishes in the discus (15th, 36.62m) and the shot put (17th, 11.06m; 21st, 10.72m).
In total,
Carolyne Kimaiyo,
Lexii Lecrone,
Emily Easter,
Gracey Dotson,
Maecee Kirtley, and
Abigail Jones all made their East Central University women's track & field debut.
