Grizzlies punch more tickets to Nationals and have strong showing in Lawrence

Six more tickets are punched to the National Indoor meet after the Grizzlies track and field teams competed at the Jayhawk Classic hosted by the University of Kansas in Anschutz Pavilion.

This meet was highlighted by Xavier Atkins who won his second consecutive men's 60m dash beating last weeks' time running a 6.73 to bring home the gold. The men's 4x400m Relay team also brought home the gold setting a new season best running a 3:19.34 with the team of Cardet Bienvenue, Judah Taylor, Tard Smith Jr. and Jerod Elcock.

Other highlights from the meet were a second-place finish from Zadie St. Louis in the 800m run who also qualified for nationals with her 2:24.30 time. Jyria Smith also posted a second-place finish in the 400m run with a 1:00.03 while Kaleb McDonald finished third in the women's 60m dash running a 7.70.

Tard Smith Jr. tied his personal best in the 60m Hurdles with an 8.31 time earning third-place in the meet and qualifying for nationals. Tard was the only two-year athlete in the finals. Jeremy McDowell qualified for nationals with his second-place 200m Dash finish with a time of 21.89. he was followed closely by teammate Arlon Williams who came in third, also qualifying for nationals with a 21.94 (converted to a 21.56).

"This was a great meet for us. We punched more tickets to nationals and hit some new personal bests," said head coach Dustin Mettler. "This group continues to get better and I look forward to what they can do moving forward."

New National Qualifiers:

Zadie St. Louis - 800m run - 2:24.30

Shanique Masters - 800m run - 2:21.55

4x400m Relay - 4:03.20 (Jyria Smith, Linesha Thompson, Morgan Cossey, Ann Dangha) NQ

Tard Smith Jr. - 60m Hurdles - 8.31

Jeremy McDowell - 200m Dash - 21.89

Arlon Williams - 200m Dash - 21.56 (converted time)

KU Jayhawk Classic results

Butler Women's Results:

Kaleb McDonald- 60m dash- 3^rd - 7.70

Linesha Thompson - 600m - 5^th - 1:33.81

Jyria Smtih - 400m - 2^nd - 1:00.03

Ann Dangha - 400m – 6^th - 1:01.12

Morgan Cossey - 400m – 8^th -  1:01.54

Zadie St. Louis - 800m - 2^nd - 2:24.30

Shanique Masters - 800m 4^th - 2:21.55

Distance Medley Relay - 7^th - 13:28.24 (St. louis, Dangha, Masters, Sanchez)

4x400m Relay - 5^th - 4:03.20 (Jyria Smith, Linesha Thompson, Morgan Cossey, Ann Dangha) NQ

Butler Men's Results:

Xavier Atkins 60m dash - 1^st - 6.73

Caleb Jackson - 60m dash - 4^th - 6.83

Tard Smith Jr. - 60m Hurdles – 3^rd - 8.31

Agerian Jackson - 600m run - 4^th - 1:15.12

Phillip Armbrister - 800m run - 5^th - 2:02.09

Jalen Smith - Triple jump - 5^th - 13.59

Obadia Tanui - 3000m run – 9^th - 9:10.20

Baylor Hendren - High jump – 7^th - 1.85m (6-00.75)

Jalen Smith - Long Jump - 19^th - 5.78 (18-11.75)

Jalen Smith - Triple Jump – 5^th - 13.59 ( 44-07.00)

Nick Lowe - Shot Put – 7^th - 13.91 (45-07.75)

Cardet Bienvenue - 400m run – 7^th - 50.82

Jeremy McDowell - 200m Dash – 2^nd -  21.89

Arlon Williams - 200m Dash – 3^rd -  21.94

Ollie McGee - 200m Dash – 6^th - 22.73

Distance Medley Relay - 7^th - 11:03.60 (Xavier, Jackson, Armbrister, Tovar)

4x400m Relay - 1^st - 3:19.34 (Cardet Bienvenue, Judah Taylor, Tard Smith Jr., Jerod Elcock)