LESTER BECOMES DRAGONS’ 21ST NJCAA QUALIFIER

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

HAYS – Freshman Da'Shawn Lester earned his first career victory and punched his ticket to the NJCAA Outdoor Championships at Gowans Stadium to lead the Hutchinson Community College men's track and field team on Friday at the Fort Hays State Alex Francis Classic.

Lester won the 400 meters with a personal-best and meet-winning time of 47.24 seconds. In addition to becoming the 21st Blue Dragon national meet qualifier, Lester posted the fourth-fastest outdoor 400-meter time in Blue Dragon history.

Sophomore Ty'Rique Roland was Hutchinson's next highest event placer with a runner-up finish in the high jump after clearing a height of 6 feet, 2.75 inches (1.90 meters). Teammate Richard College was third at 6-2.75. Jaydon Parkes was fifth in the high jump at 5-10.75 (1.80 meters).

Sophomore D'Antonio Warren placed fifth in the 100 meters with a time of 10.70 seconds. Rickyle Telemaque was eighth in a time of 10.96 seconds.

Taylor Zehr finished fifth in the hammer throw with a mark of 159-2 (48.52 meters) and was eighth in the javelin with a throw of 146-3 (44.57 meters).

Sophomore Grady Bare placed seventh in the discus with a throw of 133-5 (40.66 meters). Andrew Hildebrand was eighth in the discus with a throw of 125-7 (38.27).

The Blue Dragons will next compete in the Region 6 Outdoor Championships next Friday and Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Coffeyville.