ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Griffon Track and Field opens a busy stretch of competition from April 16–17 at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California, and the Leopard Invitational in La Verne, California, before wrapping up the weekend on April 19 at the Pittsburg State Tune-Up Meet in Pittsburg, Kansas.
Action begins Thursday at the Bryan Clay Invitational, where Abby Kinney is set to compete in the 10,000 meters, while Pau Valderrama takes on the steeplechase against a strong national field. At the Leopard Invitational, Usman Tufa will represent the Griffons in the steeplechase.
Competition continues Friday in California with a full slate of events. At Bryan Clay, Meagan Smith and Angelo Baez Mahr will compete in the 800 meters, while Kayden Crigger lines up in the 5,000 meters. At the Leopard Invitational, Pau Valderrama returns to the track in the 5,000 meters alongside Usman Tufa and Mason Orscheln, highlighting a strong group in the distance events.
The Griffons close the weekend Sunday at the Pittsburg State Tune-Up Meet with a full squad competing across multiple events. In the field events, Abbey Henry will compete in the long jump and triple jump, while Kelsi Fair is set for the shot put and hammer throw. The women's javelin group includes Abby Molloy, Maddie McMillian, and Taylor Wood, while Dawson Miller, Jackson Sigrist, and Tate Youtsey will represent the men in the javelin, with Miller also competing in the hammer throw.
On the track, Hailey McKinney will run the 1500 meters, while Bailey Cutler, Maizie Hageman, Brianna DeBord, and Yesenia Carrillo are set for the 800 meters. On the men's side, Aidan Jumper and Dylan Stout will compete in both the 1500 and 800 meters, while Adam Ducey and Levi Huber are scheduled for the 1500 meters.
"It's a busy week of competition, but we welcome the opportunities to race the best in the nation in California and get a preview of the conference venue at Pitt State," said interim head coach Sean Gosewisch.
MoWest will look to build momentum throughout the weekend and continue improving marks as the Griffons prepare for the championship portion of the outdoor season.
