MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Griffon Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field teams began their indoor campaign on Saturday at the Mel Tjeerdsma Classic hosted by Northwest Missouri State University.

In the men's race, Wimach Gilo stormed to a first-place finish in the 5,000 meters, winning in 14:31.01 and shattering the previous school record of 14:44.27 set by Kayden Crigger in 2024. On the women's side, Abby Kinney delivered her strongest race in two years, placing third in the 5,000 meters with a time of 18:13.27 to open her indoor season on a high note.

Interim head coach Sean Gosewisch shared his thoughts after the meet, saying, "On the track, Wimach continued his stellar semester with a win and a new school record in the 5K. Abby Kinney had a great day, placing third and running the fastest she has in two years. Overall, we had solid performances and some eye-opening experiences for those stepping into the indoor arena for the first time. Now we have to keep at it and carry that momentum through winter break and into the thick of the indoor season."

In the women's events, Makenzie Garr delivered a standout day by winning both of her competitions. She took the women's weight throw with a mark of 17.07 meters, then followed with a 15.09-meter effort in the shot put to set a meet record. Kelsi Fair added to the strong showing with a personal-record throw of 12.75 meters to place third in the shot put.

On the men's side, Dawson Miller opened his season with a personal-best mark of 17.86 meters in the weight throw, placing fourth in the event.

Gosewisch shared his thoughts from the throws crew, saying, "The throws crew came out swinging today with Makenzie winning both of her events and setting a meet record in the shot put, and Dawson Miller and Kelsi Fair both achieving personal records. Couldn't ask for a better start to the year for them!"

In the women's 400 meters, Yesenia Carrillo placed 26th with a time of 1:02.75.

Maizie Hageman earned a ninth-place finish in the women's 600 yards, running 1:36.00.

On the men's side, Keelan Aita took 26th in the 800 meters with a time of 2:03.63.

In the men's 1000 meters, Angelo Baez-Mahr finished seventh after clocking 2:39.31.

Bailey Cutler wrapped up the middle-distance group with an eighth-place showing in the women's 1000 meters, recording a time of 3:13.13.

Men's mile results featured strong depth across the lineup, led by Joshua Zachary, who clocked a 4:21.57 to place sixth overall. Kayden Crigger followed in seventh with a time of 4:24.25, while Sam Shipp finished 20th at 4:38.57. Mason Orscheln crossed in 4:39.36 for 21st, and Dylan Stout ran 4:42.93 to take 24th. Will Gessman placed 27th in 4:44.53, with Aidan Jumper close behind at 4:47.64 for 29th. Adam Ducey recorded a 5:02.55 to finish 40th, and Levi Huber rounded out the group in 43rd at 5:13.51.

In the women's mile, Abby Kinney led the Griffons with a ninth-place finish, running 5:31.72. Meagan Smith followed in 12th with a time of 5:34.59, while Hailey McKinney placed 26th at 5:59.22. Brianna DeBord completed the event in 6:30.79 to take 30th.

Other results from the Men 5000m. Kayden Crigger followed in fifth with a time of 14:58.26, and Joshua Zachary placed eighth at 15:15.38. Sam Shipp finished 12th in 15:22.76, while Mason Orscheln crossed 19th in 15:42.28. Will Gessman ran 16:01.53 to take 24th, Adam Ducey placed 38th with a 17:34.42, and Levi Huber rounded out the lineup in 39th at 17:39.87.

Women's Long Jump: Abbey Henry finished fourteenth with a mark of 5.17 meters, landing her best jump at 16-11.50.

Women's Triple Jump: Abbey Henry earned eighth place with a distance of 10.75 meters.

Men's Triple Jump: Jackson Sigrist secured seventeenth place after reaching 11.82 meters.

The men's 4x400-meter relay team placed sixteenth, clocking a time of 3:42.00. The group featured K. Aita, D. Stout, A. Jumper, and A. Baez-Mahr, competing in heat one.

The women's 4x400-meter relay squad finished eleventh with a time of 4:20.75. That lineup included B. Cutler, M. Smith, B. DeBord, and Y. Carillo, also running in heat one.

What's Next
Griffon Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field return to action on Friday, January 16 at the WU Rust Buster in Topeka, Kansas. MoWest then heads to Maryville on Saturday, January 17 for the Coach Richard Alsup Open.