Lakehawk Track & Field Competes at NJCAA Outdoor Championships
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (Track & Field) – The Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) track and field teams wrapped up their season at the 2025 NJCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Kansas.
Hosted by Hutchinson Community College at Gowans Stadium, the weather conditions played a roll from day one. With a hot, dry, and windy atmosphere, the Lakehawks stayed composed and represented against the country's top competition.
Spencer Palmer delivered a breakthrough race in the 800m, running a personal best of 1:53.03 to take 14th overall in the event.
Kenyon Wells continued his strong freshman campaign with a personal best of 53.75 in the 400m Hurdles. Thatcher Clarke took on the 3000m Steeplechase, placing 27th overall, with a time of 10:46.95.
In the 4x800m Relay, the team of Clarke, Chris Morinvil, Anthoney Allen, and Palmer, placed 20th with a time of 8:14.75. An injury sidelined one of the original relay members just before the event, and Morinvil stepped up after competing in the Long Jump to fill in for the team.
Mark Fyffe took 13th in the Long Jump with a mark of 6.85m.
"This team has meshed together so well, and I am incredibly proud of how these athletes conducted themselves. They handled the pressure of a national event with maturity, class, and professionalism."
"They represented our program with integrity, sportsmanship, and unity; they have truly defined the culture of this team," said Coach Snellgroves.
Jaden Miller recorded a personal best in the 100m with a time of 12.92. Although she didn't match her season best in the long jump, she remained consistent in her attempts taking 14th overall with a mark of 5.15m.
Oksanna Smith logged a personal best in the 200m, clocking a time of 25.72. In the 400m Hurdles, Smith showed clear improvement in form and rhythm, running a time of 1:03.92 to finish 14th overall in the event.
"These women have so much talent and this is just the beginning. They will rise to become upperclassmen and role models – both academically and athletically."
"I am already looking forward to next year with this team. With strength coach Sophie Capitanelli leading our weight room training and helping the athletes get stronger and more explosive, they are going to soar."
"The foundation has been laid, now we build," said Coach Snellgroves.
Wrapping up another successful track and field season, the women's team set 10 new school records while the men's team set 11 new school records.
View the updated women's record book here and the men's updated record book here.
Looking forward to the fall, the Lakehawks will begin preseason in August for cross country beginning in early September before the spring indoor and outdoor track and field seasons.
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