Western Kentucky’s men’s and women’s track and field teams wrapped up day one of competition at the Margaret Simmons Invitational on Friday in Murray.

In total, the Hilltoppers managed four first-place finishes Friday. On the track, the Tops were led by Zachariah Taylor who managed a first-place finish in the 100-meter preliminaries. He followed that up with a win in the 200. Sterling Weldon added a podium finish in the event with a third-place finish.

In field events, Sophia Roskoski and Natalie Papes both finished in the top three in the pole vault, with Roskoski claiming the win.

Luke Stegman claimed the victory in the men’s discus with a 50.93-meter throw. LeAndre Bolen also finished in the top three with a second-place mark in the event. Connor Owens became the third Hilltopper to finish in the top five in the event.

Kaison Barton and Aitana Safont Falomir both finished up in second place in their respective hammer throw events. Barton’s finish in the hammer of 60.27 meters is the second-best mark in WKU history. Barton also took second place in the shot put. Stegman also managed to claim fifth in the men’s hammer.

In total, there were six new personal bests set after the day was finished. Four of the six came in field events for WKU.

Jayden Freeman also qualified for the 100 finals with a 10.69 mark in the 100.

Freshman Jas Hampton qualified for the 100-meter finals with a seventh-place finish and a mark of 12.46.

The Hilltoppers will wrap up their first meet of the outdoor campaign on Saturday at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray.

Men’s Results

100 Prelims

1st – Zachariah Taylor – 10.54 (Q)

2nd – Jayden Freeman – 10.69 (Q)

14th – JonJon Hunter – 11.42

16th – Blake Foster – 11.53

200

1st – Zachariah Taylor – 21.49*

3rd – Sterling Weldon – 21.60*

16th – Van Thrasher – 23.36

25th – Taurian Smith – 24.66

Discus

1st – Luke Stegman – 50.93 (167-01)

2nd – LeAndre Bolen – 47.62 (156-02)*

4th – Connor Owens – 43.62 (143-01)

6th – Hunter Hall – 41.82 (137-02)

10th – Grant Reece – 37.80 (124)

Hammer Throw

2nd – Kaison Barton – 60.27 (197-09)*

5th – Luke Stegman – 50.72 (166-05)

6th – Jesse Grace – 49.99 (164)

7th – Hunter Coslow – 47.31 (155-02)

9th – Connor Owens – 36.88 (121)

Shot Put

2nd – Kaison Barton – 15.72 (51-07)

4th – Luke Stegman – 14.98 (49-01.75)

5th – LeAndre Bolen – 14.67 (48-01.75)*

9th – Luke McQueen – 12.37 (40-07)

Women’s Results

100 Prelims

7th – Jas Hampton – 12.46 (Q)

11th – Haley Zell – 12.54

200

19th – Madison Rabe – 26.71

22nd – Rachel Payne – 26.90

Discus

6th – Kennedy Coradini – 31.15 (102-02)*

10th – Elizabeth Gold – 25.58 (83-11)

Hammer Throw

2nd – Aitana Safont Falomir – 52.42 (171-11)

8th – Jayla Gilbert – 41.76 (137)

Pole Vault

1st – Sophia Roskoski – 3.65 (11-11.75)

3rd – Natalie Papes – 3.35 (10-11.75)