Sun Devils Shine in Albuquerque: Carlson, Lloyd Lead the Way at Don Kirby Elite Invitational
The Arizona State track and field squad rolled into the Don Kirby Elite Invitational in Albuquerque with something to prove-and they left with plenty to show for it. Over two days of high-level competition at the Albuquerque Convention Center, the Sun Devils put together a string of standout performances, led by a pair of veterans who continue to anchor the team’s postseason hopes.
Let’s start with the headliner: Dayton Carlson. The redshirt senior distance runner has been a steady force for ASU, and he delivered again in the men’s 800m.
Carlson crossed the line in 1:48.66, not only grabbing gold but also setting the tone for a strong showing from the Sun Devil mid-distance crew. His win wasn’t just a solo act-Tyler Schierenberg and Lemerian Lemashon were right in the mix, finishing third and fourth, respectively.
That trio gave ASU a dominant presence in one of the meet’s most competitive races.
Carlson wasn’t done there. He also helped power the men’s 4x400m relay to a third-place finish alongside Jayden Davis, Justin Coleman, and Julian Medina, clocking in at 3:06.81. It’s the kind of depth and versatility from Carlson that bodes well with the Big 12 Indoor Championships looming.
In the throws, graduate student Brandon Lloyd made his mark in the men’s shot put. His 18.78m (61’ 7½”) toss was good enough to take the top spot, continuing his strong indoor campaign. Sophomore Preston Beery added a fourth-place effort at 17.45m (57' 3"), while Owen Lee rounded out a top-10 sweep for the Sun Devil men’s throwers with a 16.07m (52' 8¾").
On the women’s side, it was once again Ines Lopez leading the charge in the field events. The graduate thrower picked up her third runner-up finish of the season with a 15.54m (51' 0") mark in the shot put. Lopez has been a consistent presence at the top of the leaderboard this indoor season, and her experience will be key heading into championship meets.
In the women’s mid-distance events, senior Mia Chavez posted a strong fourth-place finish in the 600m with a time of 1:32.36, while sophomore Taylor Brown took sixth in the 800m, clocking in at 2:11.87. Both runners showed solid form and continue to build momentum as the postseason approaches.
Elsewhere on the track, Tyler Schierenberg doubled up with a third-place finish in the men’s 600m (1:18.95), adding to his bronze from the 800m. Jayden Davis turned heads in the men’s 400m, finishing fourth with a time of 45.88, while Nasir Tucker landed fourth in the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.56m. Marlon Colbert also added a fourth-place finish in the men’s 60m dash, clocking 6.82.
Top-Five Sun Devil Finishes at Don Kirby:
- 1st - Dayton Carlson, Men’s 800m (1:48.66)
- 1st - Brandon Lloyd, Men’s Shot Put (18.78m / 61’ 7½”)
- 2nd - Ines Lopez, Women’s Shot Put (15.54m / 51' 0")
- 3rd - Men’s 4x400m Relay (Carlson, Davis, Coleman, Medina - 3:06.81)
- 3rd - Tyler Schierenberg, Men’s 800m (1:49.75)
- 3rd - Tyler Schierenberg, Men’s 600m (1:18.95)
- 4th - Jayden Davis, Men’s 400m (45.88)
- 4th - Lemerian Lemashon, Men’s 800m (1:49.97)
- 4th - Nasir Tucker, Men’s Long Jump (7.56m)
- 4th - Preston Beery, Men’s Shot Put (17.45m / 57' 3")
- 4th - Marlon Colbert, Men’s 60m (6.82)
- 4th - Mia Chavez, Women’s 600m (1:32.36)
With the Don Kirby Elite now in the rearview mirror, the Sun Devils turn their focus to the Big 12 Indoor Championships, set for February 27-28 in Lubbock. It’s the next step in what’s shaping up to be a promising indoor campaign-and if this weekend in Albuquerque is any indication, Arizona State is heating up at just the right time.