KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association has announced its fifth women's track and field athletes of the week for 2023-24 indoor season.
MIAA Indoor Track Athlete of the Week – Diandrenique Gaines, Pittsburg State
Diandrenique Gaines posted a pair of NCAA qualifying marks in the sprints at the Washburn Open & Multis Feb. 2-3 in Topeka. The Port Gibson, Miss., native clocked a fast time of 7.42 seconds in the prelims of the 60 meters – the second-best time in Pitt State history. She later claimed individual medalist honors with a winning time of 7.51 seconds in the finals. Gaines also posted a provisional qualifying time of 24.42 seconds in the 200 meters to place fifth in the race. Diandrenique exited the meet ranked No. 8 in Division II in the 60-meter dash.
MIAA Indoor Field Athlete of the Week – Kyla Davis, Pittsburg State
Kyla Davis posted the second-best mark in NCAA Division II this season in the pole vault at the Washburn Open & Multis last Saturday. The Yukon, Okla., native cleared 14 feet, 3.25 inches (4.35 meters) to claim individual medalist honors in the discipline in the meet. Davis shattered her own Pitt State indoor record from earlier this season with her clearance. This is Davis’s third MIAA Field Athlete of the Week honor in the 2023-24 indoor season.
NOTABLE TRACK PERFORMANCES
Northwest Missouri 4x400
The Northwest women’s 4x400 meter relay team of Chloe Saenz, Luisarys Toledo, Kaylee Harp and Tiffany Hughey posted the third fastest NCAA Division II all-time mark with a blistering 3:37.43 in winning the Bearcat Invite.
Riley Vickrey – Missouri Southern
Riley Vickrey won the women’s 3000-meter run last Saturday at the Bearcat Invite. The senior crossed the finish line over five seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. Her time of 9:58.33 was a personal best and ranking 8th all time in MSSU indoor history.
NOTABLE FIELD PERFORMANCES
Shanice Hutson – Washburn
Shanice Hutson picked up a win in the shot put with a school record of 14.95 meters (49-00.75) breaking the previous mark by almost two feet at the Washburn Open. The mark was also an NCAA provisional mark, the seventh-best in Division II ranks and the best in the MIAA this season.
Allyssa Mahone – Missouri Western
For a second consecutive meet, Allyssa Mahone has hit an NCAA Division II provisional mark in the women’s weight throw. Mahone took first place at the Washburn Open last week, heaving 18.52 meters (60-01.5). Not only did the Griffon junior break her own program record, but she set the Washburn Open record as well, coming in as the 12th-fursthest weight throw in Division II this season. Mahone has either taken first or second in the weight throw at all four indoor meets she’s competed in this season.
ALSO NOMINATED
Track Nominations: Maeli Meier (Nebraska Kearney), Reba Mader (Fort Hays State), Brooklynn Holtman (Central Missouri), Kereser Augustin (Washburn)
Field Nominations: Sydney Davis (Nebraska Kearney), Annabeth Baalmann (Fort Hays State), Mele Taula (Emporia State)
2023-24 MIAA WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
WEEK ONE: Ally Hammond, Northwest Missouri
WEEK TWO: Shantae George, Lincoln
WEEK THREE: Tiffany Hughey, Northwest Missouri
WEEK FOUR: Luisarys Toledo, Northwest Missouri
WEEK FIVE: Diandrenique Gaines, Pittsburg State
2023-24 MIAA WOMEN’S INDOOR FIELD ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
WEEK ONE: Kayla Goodwin, Central Missouri
WEEK TWO: Kyla Davis, Pittsburg State
WEEK THREE: Kyla Davis, Pittsburg State and Alex Hart, Washburn
WEEK FOUR: Allary Liberatore, Pittsburg State
WEEK FIVE: Kyla Davis, Pittsburg State