For the second time in two weeks, Oklahoma Christian University sophomore Jordan Powell has etched his name into the school’s track and field record books.
In the final meet before the NAIA National Indoor Championships, Powell recorded a 1:53.80 in the 800-meter run to eclipse the 1:54.14 mark set by Brent Fowler in 1985. On Feb. 17, Powell re-wrote the OC mile record with a career best 4:09.91 effort.
“Jordan had an exceptional race,” Coach Randy Heath said. “With the relay qualifying already set, the 800 was a really hot race because everyone stacked it with their best runners. Jordan was up to the competition.”
Powell’s third place was a career-best performance and automatically qualified him in the 800 meters for the NAIA National Indoor Championships. Also recording a career best was sophomore Josh Wayland, who placed sixth in 1:54.78.
Senior All-American Kenneth Bowling ran a personal- and season-best time of 8:50.33 to place first in the 3,000-meter run. He also met the NAIA provisional qualifying time in that event.
Junior hurdler Chris Plank continued his outstanding run of performances by taking runnerup honors in the 60-meter hurdles in 8.34. It is the fourth consecutive meet he has met or exceeded the NAIA automatic qualifying standard.
In the heptathlon, junior Jesse Leake set a personal record of 3,545 points and finished third.
In the women’s division, senior Kate Hudgens took first-place honors with a personal-best 10:35.71 in the 3,000 meters. She met the NAIA provisional qualifying mark and will run in the NAIA national meet. Posting a time of 10:57.98, senior Audra Bowling finished third.