Huskies send three qualifiers to Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays
AUSTIN, Texas - Traveling with three qualifiers in search of NCAA provisional marks, Michigan Tech track and field appeared in Austin, Texas for the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays Thursday through Saturday at Mike A. Myers Stadium. Clayton Sayen, Braden Reichl, and Emily Byrd made the trip representing the Huskies and competed against student-athletes from all over the country, including several NCAA Division I institutions.
Thursday, Both Sayen and Reichl hit the provisional qualifying standards they were seeking. Sayen ran a 1500 time of 3:48.61, which was a new personal best by 4.7 seconds. Sayen took fourth in a field of 14 in the event. Adam Swanson (Eastern Illinois) finished with the top time of 3:46.91. "Clayton is super excited, and I think we'll still see that time come down even more this season," said head coach Kristina Owen. The average mark (40th place) for Division II over the past five seasons is 3:50.49.
Reichl finished third in the 3000 meter steeplechase with a time of 9:08.96 for third place. Only Nicodemus Rotich (TAMU-Commerce) and Justin Domangue (UT-Arlington) crossed the line first. "Braden's time in the 3000m steeplechase was a solid season opener, which is a testament to just how crazy fast he is," Owen said. "He says he's feeling fit, but didn't quite have the technique nailed down. It's still a really solid time, and was good for third place in this competitive field."
Byrd finished 15th in the 5000 meters with a time of 17:43.29. Byrd's personal record for the event is 17:02.57, set at the NCC Dr. Keeler Track and Field Meet in May, 2019. "Her time was well off what we know she's capable of," said Owen. "I know she'll regroup and come back at it with that competitive fire that we love." Florance Uwajeneza (West Texas A&M) won the event with a time of 16:29.50.
Saturday, Sayen raced in the 800 meters for the Huskies and finished with a time of 1:51.47. "Clayton raced a solid 800 meters today," said Owen. "His time is right under the provisional qualifying standard, but with the reduced field sizes this year it probably isn't quite fast enough to get him into the championship meet. Thats alright though, he's got opportunities to improve and I think he's learning about situational awareness and when to kick. It's still early season."
Michigan Tech men's and women's track and field continues its spring outdoor season with a trip to Rochester, Minnesota where they will see action in the Golden Grizzlies Meet, hosted by Oakland University on Saturday, April 10.