Led by veteran Kaison Barton, Western Kentucky’s track and field teams wrapped up day one of the Brent Chumbley Memorial Hilltopper Relays on Friday at the Charles M. Ruter Track and Field Complex.

In total, 16 new WKU personal bests were set when action had wrapped up with all 16 coming in field events. Barton set the new school record in the men’s hammer throw.

To kick off the meet, Barton set the school record in the men’s hammer throw. Barton managed not only a personal best but a program record throw in the men’s hammer throw with a mark of 209 feet, 7 inches. The previous record of 203 feet was set back in 2015. His throw stands at No. 7 in the NCAA East Region and No. 18 in all of NCAA DI.

He would follow that up with a second-place finish in the shot put. Four more Hilltoppers set a personal best in the men’s hammer throw alone.

In the men’s shot put, Luke Stegman claimed a victory with a personal best toss. Three more Hilltoppers added personal records (prs) when the event was finished. Hunter Coslow managed a personal best in both events.

In the women’s shot put, WKU’s Jayla Gilbert took the win and Kennedy Coradini set a new personal best.

Two freshmen led the charge in the jumping ranks for WKU. Sterling Weldon took the win in the long jump, setting a new pr. Van Thrasher’s mark of 6 feet, 6 inches in the high jump was enough for the win and a personal best.

The women’s long jump event saw three more WKU athletes set a personal record, led by Haley Zell who took the win with a jump of 18-11.5. Madison Rabe notched a third-place finish and Jas Hampton took fifth with both setting a new personal best mark.

On the track, four Hilltoppers led the way in the men’s 200-meter dash with Kameron Horton winning the event with a time of 21.85 seconds. In the women’s event, Morgan Moore claimed a third-place finish.

In the final event of the day, the women’s 5,000, Kinley Kunkel claimed the victory, finishing in 18:09. Ava Galloway followed up with a third-place mark.

WKU will host day two of the 2025 Brent Chumbley Memorial Hilltopper Relays on Saturday at the Charles M. Ruter Track and Field Complex. WKU will be recognizing all seniors and will also retire the jersey of Gayle Harris Watkins. The event is free to attend.

Men’s Results

200

1st – Kameron Horton – 21.85

2nd – Brunel Desinor – 22.22

3rd – Jayden Freeman – 22.36

4th – Zachariah Taylor – 22.54

7th – Henry Fisher – 23.69

8th – Ricardo Smith – 24.20

High Jump

1st – Van Thrasher – 1.98 (6-06)*

2nd – Nick Fornoff – 1.95 (6-04.75)

Long Jump

1st – Sterling Weldon – 7.60 (24-11.25)*

3rd – Joey Raybourne – 6.78 (22-03)*

4th – Caleb Joyce – 6.20 (20-04)

Hammer Throw

1st – Kaison Barton – 63.89 (209-07)*^

3rd – Jesse Grace – 50.88 (166-11)*

4th – Luke Stegman – 49 (160-09)

5th – Hunter Coslow – 48.73 (159-11)*

7th – Luke McQueen – 45.89 (150-07)

8th – Connor Owens – 45.84 (150-05)*

10th – Hunter Hall – 41.19 (135-02)

11th – Grant Reece – 39.14 (128-05)*

12th – LeAndre Bolen – 35.03 (114-11)

Shot Put

1st – Luke Stegman – 16.92 (55-06.25)*

2nd – Kaison Barton – 16.07 (52-08.75)

4th – Hunter Coslow – 15.57 (51-01)*

5th – Luke McQueen – 15.01 (49-03)*

7th – LeAndre Bolen – 13.90 (45-07.25)

8th – Connor Owens – 13.19 (43-03.25)

9th – Jesse Grace – 12.71 (41-08.5)

10th – Hunter Hall – 12.34 (40-05.75)*

11th – Grant Reece – 11.08 (36-04.25)

Women’s Results

200

3rd – Morgan Moore – 29.39

5000

1st – Kinley Kunkel – 18:09

3rd – Ava Galloway – 19:01

High Jump

2nd – Madison Rabe – 1.50 (4-11)

Long Jump

1st – Haley Zell – 5.78 (18-11.5)*

3rd – Madison Rabe – 5.45 (17-10.5)*

5th – Jas Hampton – 5.38 (17-07.75)*

6th – Rachel Payne – 5.28 (17-03.75)

Hammer Throw

2nd – Aitana Safont Falomir – 54.31 (178-02)

3rd – Jayla Gilbert – 40.06 (131-05)

Shot Put

1st – Jayla Gilbert – 12.62 (41-04.75)

3rd – Kennedy Coradini – 10.26 (33-08)*