Trio of Program-Best Records Lead DePaul at Lenny Lyles/Clark Wood Invite

Friday, April 26

Louisville, Ky.

All Day

DePaul University

Lenny Lyles/Clark Woods Invitational

Trio of Program-Best Records Lead DePaul at Lenny Lyles/Clark Wood Invite

4/27/2019 7:56:00 PM | TRACK AND FIELD

Final Results

Freshman Henry Larkin also ties program best at the meet hosted by Louisville

CHICAGO – Day one for DePaul track & field ended with five PRs and the Blue Demons continued the success by setting four new school records on the second-and-final day of the Lenny Lyles/Clark Wood Invitational. The program-best marks put four Blue Demons among the best in the NCAA West Regional rankings.

Led by Jade Gates in the hammer throw, the sophomore standout threw a 61.85-meter PR that was good for third in the event and to break her own school record. Her previous mark (57.78m) that was set at the DePaul Invitational last weekend was beat by over 4 meters. The St. Louis native's new record puts her 15^th in the NCAA West Regional standings.

Also beating her own school record was Kiersten Walker (53.89) in the 400-meter dash. Her finish brings her up to the 33^rd spot on the regional list. Her current record of 54.46 was set at her first meet of the season in Daytona, Fla. at the 2019 Pepsi Florida Relays.

While it was a cold and snowy day in Chicago, "the weather held up [in Louisville, Ky.] over the two days to allow some pretty outstanding performances," said head coach Dave Dopek. "This was a meet where a few people really stepped up and took advantage of a quality opportunity to perform well."

Contributing to the national-caliber performances was Jade Nolan in the women's triple jump. She broke her own school record by more than .2 meters to mark a 12.49 PR that was good for the 42^nd spot in the rankings.

On the men's side, newcomer Henry Larkin set a 46.46 PR in the 400-meter dash that was good for gold. His time tied the current program record was set by head coach Dave Dopek during his campaign as a Blue Demon. The Oakland native tied the mark at what was his fourth meet in a Blue Demon uniform – placing first in every event.

"We are beginning to build some momentum as we continue to prepare for the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships in two weeks," said Dopek.

Other Blue Demon highlights included senior Kyle Hedge's best series of his DePaul career, finishing the shot put with a 16.57-meter mark that flirted with his current 6.64-meter PR that earned him a first-place finish at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships last season. Isabel Ingram also set new PRs in the 100-meter hurdles (13.74) and 400-meter hurdles (1:01.95).

"We will have one more smaller tune-up next Friday at the Huskie Classic and then it's time to see what these teams are made of," Dopek added.

Up Next
The Blue Demons wrap up their outdoor season in the Chicagoland area as they compete at the Huskie Classic Hosted by Northern Illinois on Friday, May 3. The 2019 BIG EAST Outdoor Championships are scheduled for May 10–11 in Randall's Island, N.Y.

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