Ellard & Williams qualify for Nationals as T-Bird Track & Field kicks off Indoor season

Saturday January 11, 2025 - 10:45 a.m. | Dylan DeVlieger

T-Bird Track & Field opened up their 2025 Indoor season on Friday night as they competed in the NAU Friday Night Axe 'Em in Flagstaff, AZ.

The T-Birds started their list of National Qualifiers early as both Madisyn Williams (3.40m) and Shane Ellard (4.40m) each punched their ticket to Lubbock, TX. 

Austin John and SeiOriana Glass both had great showing in the weight throw as John hit a new PR with 15.68m, while Glass scored 14.83m. DeAndre Gatlin finished third in the high jump as he connected at 1.95m.

Carmella Baldwin led the way for the Lady T-Birds in the mile as she finished 8th with a time of 5:34.26. Regina Raimo (5:50.98), Marissa Hernandez (5:56.56), Katie Munoz (5:58.89), Kinley Jackson (5:59.95), and Lucy Melzer (6:08.00) took 12th-16th respectively. 

After the mile Baldwin would go on to win the 3000m event as she came in at 11:23.11. Raimo (12:00.79), Hernandez (12:07.96), and Jackson (12:13.54) took home 2nd-4th. 

In the men's 3000m Gabriel Gonzales finished 2nd (9:36.46) while Cal Schnepf took 4th (9:39:13), Quenton Metz finished 6th (9:48.57), and Corbin Pyle came in 7th (10:06.38).

Interim head coach Daniel Pescador was especially proud of Sara Jacobson and Tatum Matheny who competed for the first time in over two years.

"Really proud of how Sara Jacobson and Tatum Matheny competed today," said Pescador, "It was great to see them be competitive and back into a rhythm!"

Jacobson set new PRs in the 200m (26.70) and the 60m hurdles (9.72) while also competing in the high jump, long jump, and shot put. Matheny set PRs in the 200m (28.56), long jump (4.73m), and the shot put (9.10m).

The T-Birds will be back in action on Jan 17 as they compete in the NAU Team Challenge. 

Click here to view the entire results of the meet.