Baker Track and Field Hosts 2026 ZK Invite

BALDWIN CITY – In the final meet before next week's Heart Championships, the Baker track and field teams played host to the 2026 ZK Invite on Saturday in Baldwin City.

With beautiful conditions for most of the day, the Wildcats welcomed 18 total teams to their annual home meet and also celebrated their Senior Day.

BU recognized 15 seniors for their dedication and contributions to the track and field program. Those seniors included Ellie Barnard, Haley Carter, Julie Coffey, Chris Jackson, Jana Landreth, Rylee Lansdown, Makenna Longacre, Jacob McGlasson, Ruthie Mutuku, Jailah Robinson, Luke Persson, Johnny Ruiz, Sam Slife, Haley Thompson, and Jaden Vohs.

Overall, Baker came away with nine top-three finishes, including first-place performances from Hannah Jensen in the women's long jump and Grant Gogis in the men's 3K.

Jensen recorded her best mark of the season in the long jump at 5.42 meters and added a third-place showing in the triple jump after going 11.02 meters. Gogis ran a 9:55.67 in the 3K to lead the pack and also competed in the 800m.

Cutter Meade was the first of a group of Wildcat runners to cross in the 800m, with Meade (1:57.41) placing second, followed by Micah Sanders (1:57.82) in third and McGlasson (1:57.87) in fourth. Jace Woodward came in third in the men's triple jump, marking a leap of 13.14 meters.

Lansdown placed third in the 400-meter hurdles on a time of 1:14.08. Haylei Potter matched her best clearance of the outdoor season in the pole vault after clearing 3.05 meters, which earned her runner-up honors in the event.

The BU women's 4x100m relay team of Longacre, Potter, Ashby Graham and Shanniel Graham took second and came within a few ticks of tying their time from last week's Pioneer Classic (49.59) after turning in a 49.66 on Saturday.

Up next, Baker will head to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to compete in the 2026 Heart Track & Field Championships, which get underway on Friday, May 1. The conference meet will conclude on Saturday, May 2, with final events and an awards ceremony.

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