Baylor’s Pole Vault Trio Shines in Lubbock as Bears Open Strong at Jarvis Scott Invite
LUBBOCK, Texas - Baylor Track & Field opened the Jarvis Scott Invite with a statement on Friday, thanks to a dominant showing in the women’s pole vault and several standout performances across the board.
Let’s start with the pole vault runway, where Baylor’s trio of Tenly Kuhn, Molly Haywood, and Alencia Lentz turned the event into a green-and-gold showcase. Kuhn led the charge, clearing a season-best 14 feet, ¾ inches to finish second overall-and first among collegiate competitors.
That bar not only marks a personal season high but also positions her among the top vaulters in the NCAA this season. Haywood matched Kuhn’s height but settled for third due to more failed attempts, while Lentz wasn’t far behind, taking fifth with a solid 13-7 clearance.
The only athlete to top the Bears on the day was former Oklahoma standout Kenzie Beukes, competing unattached, who cleared 14-4 ¾ on her first attempt. But among the NCAA field, Baylor’s depth and consistency in the event were impossible to miss.
Over in the sand pit, sophomore Janae De Gannes made her presence felt in the long jump. Her leap of 20-6 ½ earned her a third-place finish and, like Kuhn, she was the top collegiate athlete in the event. The only two names ahead of her were former Texas Tech stars, including Nigerian Olympian Ruth Usoro-so De Gannes is clearly jumping in elite company.
On the men’s side, freshman Kingston Williams couldn’t quite match his season best in the long jump but still managed a respectable 23-1 ¾ on his first attempt, placing seventh in Section B. For a freshman still finding his rhythm at the collegiate level, it’s another solid step forward.
In the sprints, senior Tiriah Kelley advanced through two rounds of the 60 meters with a semifinal time of 7.38 seconds. However, she was one of four athletes who didn’t line up for the final later that evening. No word yet on why she didn’t run, but her early rounds showed she’s got the wheels to contend.
The women’s 400 meters saw a wave of season-best performances for the Bears. Freshman Cymia Yourish clocked 56.41, sophomore Aaronya Kinchen followed close behind at 56.66, and Sameena Mathew wasn’t far off the pace at 56.74. That kind of depth bodes well for Baylor’s relay teams heading into championship season.
On the men’s side of the 400, Arizona State transfer Malik Franklin and sophomore Abbas Ali both notched their best times of the season-Franklin at 46.87 and Ali just behind at 46.93. They finished 10th and 11th, respectively, in a deep and fast field, but those times suggest they’re rounding into form at just the right time.
Meanwhile, across the country at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston, redshirt freshman Amon Malakwen turned in a strong effort in the 800 meters, finishing fifth with a time of 1:50.34. That’s a solid benchmark in a high-caliber meet, and it’ll be worth watching how he builds on that in the coming weeks.
Baylor’s Ruth Kimeli is set to run the 5,000 meters on Saturday in Boston, while Day 2 of the Jarvis Scott Invite kicks off at 11 a.m. CT. The meet will wrap with the women’s and men’s 4x400 relays around 5 p.m.-and given the way Baylor’s been running, those relays could be must-watch.
One day in, and the Bears have already made their presence felt. From the runway to the oval, this is a team looking sharp as the indoor season heats up.