Graceland Track and Field Competes at Fighting Bee Invitational
DAVENPORT, Iowa — The Graceland University men's and women's indoor track and field teams posted strong performances at the Fighting Bee Invitational, hosted by St. Ambrose University on Saturday. The Yellowjackets recorded multiple top finishes and personal bests as they continued their 2025 indoor campaign.
With a mix of underclassmen and veterans contributing across sprints, distance events, jumps, and throws, Graceland looks to build momentum heading into the latter part of the indoor season.
Men's Track and Field Recap
Freshman Payton Miller highlighted the men's side with a third-place finish in the 400 meters, clocking in at 54.62 seconds to earn six team points. Isaac Ramirez delivered another strong showing in the middle-distance events, placing fifth in the 1000 meters (2:54.03), securing four points.
In the 60-meter dash, senior Al-Farouk Salako ran 7.39 seconds, placing 11th overall. He also competed in the 200 meters, finishing in 25.18 seconds (13th place), just behind Miller, who ran 25.10 seconds (12th place).
Freshman Jeremia Carrasquillo had a solid day in the high jump, clearing 1.73 meters (5'8"), earning three points for the Yellowjackets.
In the shot put, sophomore Luke Hass led Graceland with a throw of 10.60 meters (34'9.5"), placing 12th, followed by Frankie Vigil (10.08 meters, 33'1") and Kristian McDonnell (8.73 meters, 28'7.75").
Vigil also placed ninth in the weight throw, recording a mark of 12.04 meters (39'6"). Hass followed in 11th place (10.68 meters, 35'0.5"), and McDonnell placed 13th (9.97 meters, 32'8.5").
The men's heptathlon saw Caden Israel finish second with 3,512 points, while Garrison Allen placed fourth with 3,101 points, adding valuable team points to Graceland's overall performance.
Women's Track and Field Recap
On the women's side, Thayadorra Echavarria had the strongest showing in the sprints, placing fourth in the 400 meters (1:11.32) to score five team points.
Junior Grace Testerman competed in multiple events, running 9.05 seconds in the 60 meters (12th place) and 31.47 seconds in the 200 meters (13th place).
In distance events, Caitlin Grover placed 11th in the mile (6:03.77) before returning to run 12:00.22 in the 3000 meters, securing a fifth-place finish and four points for the team. Freshmen Sierra Davenport (7:01.15) and Anna Sweeting (7:39.79) also competed in the mile.
In the jumps, Deniyah Lockman won the triple jump title, hitting a best mark of 9.66 meters (31'8.5") to earn 10 points for Graceland.
The Yellowjackets' throwers had an impressive day, led by sophomore Hannah Kling, who placed second in the shot put with a mark of 11.91 meters (39'1"), earning eight points. Freshman Amanda Newton was close behind in third (11.89 meters, 39'0.25"), while Mollie Walker (9.87 meters, 32'4.75") added a seventh-place finish for two points.
In the weight throw, Newton placed third (13.78 meters, 45'2.5"), scoring six points. Malori Leonard took fourth (12.39 meters, 40'7.75"), adding five points, and Kling placed sixth (12.02 meters, 39'5.25") to secure three points.
Up Next
Graceland will return to competition on Saturday, January 25, at the NAIA/JUCO Challenge in Pittsburgh, Kansas.
For more information on Graceland track and field and all Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.