PITTSBURG -- The Pittsburg State University men's and women's outdoor track & field teams will send select groups of athletes to compete at the Emporia State University Spring Open and the Washington (Mo.) University Distance Carnival Friday (Mar. 27).

The Gorillas are expected to send throwers and multi event athletes to Emporia Friday morning, while a handful fo distance runners will race at St. Louis Friday evening.

Several Gorillas enjoyed solid performances in their season opening performances last week, highlighted by freshman Alycia Cosen's collegiate debut in the women's javelin. Cosens unleashed the second-best mark in Pitt State history with her winning throw of 163 feet, 0 inches at the UCM Invitational at Warrensburg, Mo. Fellow freshman Claire Vanderweide also placed second in the discipline with a toss of 148-9.

In other women's action, sophomore Kelci Locke registered a personal best with her winning throw of 156-9 in the discus. Her mark sits at No. 8 on Pitt State's all-time top 10 list. Senior Abby Lasiter also won the hammer throw with an NCAA qualifying mark of 184-5 and placed second in the shot put (44-0.5).

Redshirt sophomore Drake Stapleton paced the Pitt State men with victories and PR marks in the shot put (59-1.5) and the discus (177-5). Stapleton's shot put mark ranks No. 7 all-time at Pitt State while his discus throw ranks No. 8 in school history.

Senior Jack Haukap also won the hammer throw at UCM, posting the top mark in D2 this season (216-0) and ultimately earning MIAA Field Athlete of the Week honors Monday (Mar. 23). Sophomore Trace Hanchett (220-7) and freshman Gannon Marquardt (207-10) finished first and second in the javelin. Junior Brennan Boord also placed second in the hammer throw (193-2) and third in the discus (165-6). Boord's hammer toss ranks No. 10 all-time at Pitt State.

A trio of Pitt State men's distance runners also competed at the University of Saint Mary Spire Distance Carnival at Leavenworth, Kan., last Friday.

Redshirt junior Dylan Sprecker recorded a personal best time in the 1,500 meters, improving his No. 2 all-time ranking in school history with his time of 3 minutes, 40.70 seconds. Redshirt junior Jordan Kilonzo also was clocked in 3:51.68 in the race. In the 800 meters, redshirt sophomore Eli Gilmore recorded a PR time of 1:50.38.