PITTSBURG, Kan. – Griffon Track & Field wrapped up competition at the 2026 MIAA Indoor Championships, held Friday, Feb. 27 through Sunday, March 1 at the Robert W. Plaster Center on the campus of Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas.
Mackenzie Garr delivered one of the top performances of the weekend for the Griffons, earning a runner-up finish in the women's shot put with a throw of 15.71 meters (51-6.50). Garr also added points in the women's weight throw, placing seventh with a mark of 18.26 meters.
In the shot put, junior Kelsi Fair secured a 10th-place finish with a top mark of 12.56 meters (41-2.50), posting consistent efforts throughout the competition. Fair also competed in the weight throw, recording a toss of 14.39 meters to place 20th overall.
Sophomore Abbey Henry contributed three team points in the triple jump, finishing sixth with a best leap of 11.26 meters (36-11.25) on her third attempt. Henry also competed in the women's long jump, placing 17th with a mark of 5.14 meters.
On the men's side, Dawson Miller placed 11th in the weight throw with a mark of 17.72 meters.
The distance crew saw multiple strong showings across the 3,000-meter and 5,000-meter runs. In the men's 3,000 meters, Usman Tufa led the Griffons with a 12th-place finish in 8:33.27. Kayden Crigger followed in 18th (8:38.37), with Wimach Gilo right behind in 19th (8:42.50).
In the men's 5,000 meters, Tufa again paced MWSU, placing 10th in 15:06.50. Mason Orscheln finished 14th in 15:08.43, followed closely by Gilo in 15th (15:08.51). Crigger added a 19th-place finish in 15:20.55, and Sam Shipp placed 24th with a time of 15:38.75.
On the women's side, Abby Kinney competed in the 5,000 meters, finishing 25th in 18:50.20.
The men's distance medley relay team of Henry Trumpp, Angelo Baez-Mahr, Dylan Stout and Logan Soedt recorded a ninth-place finish with a time of 11:06.59.
In the 800 meters, Angelo Baez-Mahr placed 15th in 1:57.81, while Dylan Stout finished 17th in 1:59.85. For the women, Meagan Smith earned an 11th-place finish in the 800 meters with a time of 2:18.54, and Bailey Cutler placed 16th in 2:26.40.
Interim Head Coach Sean Gosewisch reflected on his team's performance following the MIAA Indoor Championships.
"For a small crew, the women's team handled themselves really well and found ways to score points for the team," Gosewisch said. "Makenzie was the highlight of the day with a runner-up finish in the shot put, and Abbey Henry stepped up in a big way with a personal best and a sixth-place finish in the triple jump."
On the men's side, Gosewisch noted several strong individual efforts but acknowledged the overall result fell short of expectations.
"We had some notable individual performances on the men's side, but it was disappointing to come away without scoring," he added.
With the indoor season now complete for most of the squad, the Griffons turn their attention to the outdoor campaign. Makenzie will be the lone representative moving on, as she prepares to compete at the national meet.
