HILLSBORO, Kan. — The Southwestern College men's and women's track and field teams turned in a full slate of performances Saturday at the Tabor College Invite, highlighted by a first-place finish from Derek Ponce-Gonzales and a strong showing from freshman sprinter Ben Patkowski.
Ponce-Gonzales claimed the event title in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase, crossing the line in 12:37.68 to lead Southwestern's efforts on the track. The sophomore also competed in the 1,500 meters, finishing 12th in 5:05.02.
Patkowski delivered one of the top sprint performances of the meet for the Moundbuilders, placing fifth in the 100 meters with a time of 10.96 seconds. The mark moves him to No. 13 in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) rankings. He also added a ninth-place finish in the 200 meters (22.49), while teammate Dominique Orosco placed fourth in the same event at 22.36.
Elsewhere on the men's side, Logan Churchill took sixth in the 400 meters (53.80) and added a 19th-place showing in the 200 meters (23.71). Jack Titgemeyer led Southwestern in the 800 meters, finishing sixth in 2:14.39, with Jamell Sanchez close behind in eighth (2:28.73).
In field events, Emerson Williams recorded a 10th-place finish in the shot put (12.68m) and placed seventh in the hammer throw (39.73m). JJ Crawford led the team in the javelin with a throw of 38.86 meters, finishing 14th.
On the women's side, Abigail Eckert paced Southwestern in multiple events, finishing 12th in the 100 meters (13.41) and sixth in the long jump with a mark of 4.49 meters. Lauryn Peterson added an 11th-place finish in the 1,500 meters (6:42.93).
In the throws, Vanessa Mendoza led the way with a 10th-place finish in the discus (33.39m) and 13th in the hammer (35.33m). Malia Pearson contributed across multiple events, including an 11th-place finish in the shot put (9.96m) and 15th in the discus (29.10m).
Southwestern will look to build on the performances as the Builders head to Salina for the Coyote Classic. The meet will begin on Friday at 1 p.m. at JRI Stadium on the campus of Kansas Wesleyan.
