Track Wins Three Events on Day One of Michael Johnson Invitational

Friday, April 18

Waco, Texas

TCU

Michael Johnson Invitational

Track Wins Three Events on Day One of Michael Johnson Invitational

4/18/2025 8:56:00 PM | Men's Outdoor Track, Women's Outdoor Track

Kirbo, Gonzales and Kowa pick up event wins

WACO, Texas – TCU track and field picked up three event wins on the first day of the Michael Johnson Invitational on Friday at the Clyde Hart Track & Field Stadium.

Ben Kirbo, Anastacia Gonzales and Mohammed Kowa all earned event wins, while 17 Frogs secured top 10 finishes overall in their respective events.

Kirbo won the men's pole vault in the afternoon, clearing 5.47m, a new personal best and TCU school record. His jump also ranks No. 12 in the NCAA this season. It marks the second straight year that he's won the pole vault event at the Michael Johnson Invitational.

Middle distance runners Kowa and Gonzales helped the Frogs sweep the 1500m on the men's and women's side. Kowa turned in a season-best 3:49.83, and Gonzales finished with a personal best 4:27.08, the ninth best time in school history.

Also seeing success in the 1500m, Georgia Scott won her heat and placed second overall, just six-hundredths behind Gonzales. With her time of 4:27.14, she cracked the top 10 all-time at TCU. Gianni Henry (3:54.61) and Lloyd Frilot (3:54.62) also finished in the top 10 on the day.

In the 200m, Iyana Gray led the Frogs with a 23.21 to cross the finish line seventh. Indya Mayberry, the indoor 200m National Champion, finished ninth in her outdoor debut in 23.28. Kashie Crockett took second overall for the men, posting a 20.85. He was the top collegiate athlete in the event, finishing only behind Paris 2024 Olympian Bryce Deadmon (20.84).

TCU had a strong showing in the 400m hurdles. Amelliah Birdow won bronze in 56.45 and, freshman Laila Smith snuck into the top 10 with a 1:00.46. Jayden Douglas was the lone Frog in the event on the men's side. He placed seventh in 52.22.

In the field event, a pair of Frogs secured top 10 long jump finishes. Smith jumped 6.01m to place eighth on the women's side, and Coulaj Eans finished ninth (7.48m) for the men.

The Frogs wrapped up the night with a fifth-place finish in the 5000m from Gabby Martin (
17:37.08) and a third place run from Tate Underwood (14:33.53).

TCU is back in action for day two of the Michael Johnson Invitational on Saturday, April 19, starting with the javelin throw at 11 a.m. CT.

For all the latest TCU track and field news, follow the Frogs on X at @TCUTrackField, on Instagram at @tcu_track_xc and on Facebook at TCU Track and Field.