Track and Field Teams Compete at ZK Invite, Producing Two Event Winners
Baldwin City, Kan., (April 26, 2025)- The Missouri Valley College men's and women's track and field teams competed at the ZK Invite in Baldwin City, Kan. The women's team was led by Freshman Aarion Pickens and Sophomore Jozelynn Bostick, taking first place in their respective events. Leading the men's team were Freshman Dante Gordon and Freshman Montique Griffiths, finishing second in their events.
Women's Results:
Freshman Aarion Pickens: took first place in the shot put with a distance of 13.11 meters. She also finished 15th in the hammer throw with a distance of 32.39 meters.
Sophomore Jozelynn Bostick (Centralia, Mo.): took first place in the 5000 meter run with a time of 19:41.56. She also finished 10th in the 1500 meter run with a time of 5.25.06.
Senior Paula Romero Rodriguez (Madrid, Spain): placed fourth in the hammer throw with a distance of 43.27 meters. She also finished 6th in the discus throw with a distance of 36.48 meters.
Junior Federica Gammarota (Foggia, Italy): placed fourth in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1:12.22.
Sophomore Isabella Kulenkamp (Warrensburg, Mo.): placed seventh in the discus throw with a distance of 36.25 meters. She also finished 12th in the hammer throw with a distance of 35.40 meters.
Junior Emily Lechuga (LaPorte, Texas): placed ninth in the 200 meter dash with a time of 26.56.
Senior Kylie Linson (Troy, Mo.): placed ninth in the hammer throw with a distance of 37.02 meters. She also finished 12th in the shot put with a distance of 10.10 meters.
Freshman Dimitria Sweet: placed ninth in the 100 meter dash with a time of 13:02.
Freshman Kila Burchett (Stockton, Calif.): placed 14th in the javelin throw with a distance of 30.66 meters.
Freshman Shaliah McKoy (Kingston, Jamaica): placed 14th in the long jump with a distance of 4.37 meters. She also finished No. 24 in the 400 meter dash with a time of 1:08.63, and placed 19th in the 200 meter dash with a time of 28.00.
Freshman Jaedyn Smith: placed 14th in the discus throw with a distance of 29.37 meters. She also finished No. 17 in the shot put with a distance of 8.74 meters.
Junior Sydnei Cummings (Elk, Grove, Calif.): placed 16th in the javelin throw with a distance of 25.81 meters.
Senior Samantha Bitz (Marion, Ill.): placed 16th in the long jump with a distance of 4.21 meters. She also finished No. 20 in the 200 meter dash with a time of 28.26.
Freshman Brynna Wentland (Higginsville, Mo.): placed 25th in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:55.79.
Freshman Faraja Nyasa (Kigoma, Tanzania): placed 27th in the 800 meter run with a time of 3:09.14.
Men's Results:
Freshman Dante Gordon (Kingston, Jamaica): placed second in the 200 meter dash with a time of 21.79.
Freshman Montique Griffiths: placed second in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 58.20.
Freshman Marcus Evans (Jonesboro, Ark.): placed third in the triple jump with a distance of 13.33 meters. He also finished 16th in the long jump with a distance of 5.43 meters, and placed 31st in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11.80.
Freshman Micah Mumford: placed third in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 15.53. He also finished fourth in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 58.51.
Freshman Joseph James (Excelsior Springs, Mo.): placed fourth in the 110 meter hurdles prelims with a time of 15.82. He also finished 27th in the 200 meter dash with a time of 24.16.
Freshman Darius Thomas (Fort Worth, Texas): placed ninth in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11.11. He also finished 14th in the 200 meter dash with a time of 22.82.
Freshman Harrison James (Independence, Mo.): placed 11th in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11.14.
Senior Luke Clayton (Wichita, Kan.): placed 15th in the discus throw with a distance of 34.11 meters. He also finished No. 17 in the shot put with a distance of 10.16 meters.
Freshman Amardeep Basra (Houton, Texas): placed 16th in the 400 meter dash with a time of 53.10. He also finished No. 33 in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11.87.
Freshman Steven Mills (Kansas City, Kan.): placed seventh in the 200 meter dash prelims with a time of 22.37. He also finished 16th in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11.22.
Junior Daytona Blaine (Shelbina, Mo.): placed 20th in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:03.77.
Sophomore Jorge Munoz (Segovia, Spain): placed 29th in the 400 meter dash with a time of 56.63.
Junior Angel Lopez (Los Fresnos, Texas): placed 36 in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:45.49.
4x100 Meter Relay team 'A' (Mills, H. James, Munoz, Thomas) placed fifth with a time of 44.81.
Up next, the Viking track and field teams will compete at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships, May 2-3, hosted by Central Methodist in Fayette, Mo.
Results - Click Here
About Missouri Valley College
Standing out as one of the most innovative and student-focused liberal arts colleges in the Midwest, Missouri Valley College (MVC) is committed to preparing students for success beyond the classroom. Through the Viking Voyage program, MVC prioritizes career readiness from day one, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel after graduation. Each of MVC's 30+ in-demand majors—including nursing, business, cybersecurity, computer science, criminal justice, and exercise science—integrates personal instruction, experiential learning, and professional opportunities to prepare graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing and globally connected world. At Missouri Valley College, higher education is more than earning a degree—it's a transformative journey that begins with the end.