SAN MARCOS, Texas – Ashton Callahan won men's 400 in his first collegiate race in that event, Melanie Duron claimed the top spot in the women's shot put, and seven other Bobcats set a personal-best on Saturday as Texas State track and field completed its weekend at the Bobcat Invitational and Texas Relays.
 
Callahan, a redshirt senior who transferred to Texas State before last season, ran 46.42 in the 400, which was the best time by a Bobcat in the event this year and second-fastest in the Sun Belt. The Sweeny, Texas native had never run a distance greater than 400 meters as individual in a collegiate meet and only ran in the 4x400 relay once prior.
 
Duron claimed first in the shot put in an outdoor meet for the third straight week as she recorded a toss of 16.34 meters/53-7.25 on Saturday. The Laredo, Texas native won at the UTSA Invitational and Charles Austin Classic before the fourth first-place finish (one in indoor) of her young Bobcat career this weekend.
 
A pair of freshmen also reached the podium in their respective events. Elisabet Runarsdottir placed third in the women's hammer throw with a personal-best of 64.12 meters/210-4. The toss was 10th-best in school history and a freshman record. Abigail Parra, meanwhile, ran a personal-best 4:56.86 in the women's 1500 meter to place third. It was the first time she broke the five-minute barrier as she has shaved five-plus seconds off her season-opening time in the event in consecutive meets.
 
"We had a very successful Bobcat Invitational across the board," said Director of Track & Field/Cross Country John Frazier. "Early last week we were faced with an influx of entries, and we made adjustments in the schedule and added B sections as well as hiring more officials to help with the added athletes to our competition. We heard from many coaches who were thankful that we provided opportunities for their athletes. The Bobcat Invitational produced national marks, school records and many PRs for all that attended. I would like to thank all of our volunteers and those behind the scenes that made this happen."

At the Texas Relays, senior Sedrickia Wynn ran 23.10 in the women's 200 invite to register the seventh-fastest time in school history and a PR.
 
In addition to Runarsdottir, Parra and Wynn, other Bobcats who had PRs on Saturday included Ayesha Nelson (14.06, 100 meter hurdles), Price Janecek (2:20.20, women's 800), Avery Veiseh (1:55.29, men's 800) and Deborah Bulai (62.17m/204-0, women's hammer throw).
 
Overall, Texas State had five first-place finishes at the Bobcat Invitational. Simon Thor (decathlon) and Chris Preddie (men's long jump) won on Friday.
 
The Bobcats will have next weekend off before competing in the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville, Fla. and Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, Calif. during the weekend of April 14-15.
 
Texas Relays
April 1, 2023
 
Women's 200 meter
10. Sedrickia Wynn – 23.10; 7th-fastest in school history & PR
 
 
Bobcat Invitational
Day 3 – April 1, 2023
 
Women's 1500m
3. Abigail Parra – 4:56.86; PR
 
Men's 1500m
17. Elias Palmer – 4:09.31
 
Women's 100 meter hurdles
11. Ayesha Nelson – 14.06; PR
 
Men's 110 meter hurdles
31. Treyvon Mays – 14.85
 
Men's 400 meter
1. Ashton Callahan – 46.42
 
Women's 100 meter
31. Anayah Washington – 12.21
38. Victoria Wright – 12.31
 
Men's 100 Meter
32. Dre'Quan Crawford – 10.85
 
Women's 800 Meter
9. Price Janecek – 2:20.20; PR
16. Kila Rodas – 2:23.72
 
Men's 800 Meter
5. Avery Veiseh – 1:55.29; PR
 
Men's Hammer Throw
14. Grady Leonard – 59.26m/194-5
36. Tyler Noles – 49.62m/162-10
 
Women's Hammer Throw
3. Elisabet Runarsdottir – 64.12m/210-4; 10th-best in school history & PR
6. Deborah Bulai – 62.17m/204-0; PR
21. Lauryn Small – 54.67m/179-4
 
Men's Shot Put
25. Altwayne Bedward – 15.79m/51-9.75
28. Tyler Noles – 15.44m/50-7.75
 
Women's Shot Put
1. Melanie Duron – 16.34m/53-7.25
10. Carly Watts – 14.67m/48-1.5
14. Ebony Wolridge – 14.32m/46-11.75
22. Lauryn Small – 13.63m/44-8.5
 
Men's Triple Jump
9. Chris Preddie – 14.12m/46-4