MARYVILLE, Mo. - William Woods University newcomer Oshawi Burgher, a graduate transfer from NCAA Division II McKendree University, already left his mark for the Owls, leading the men's indoor track and field team with a fifth-place finish at 1:14.93 in the 600-yard run - his first time competing in the event - in the Mel Tjeerdsma Classic, hosted by NCAA DII Northwest Missouri State University Saturday at Hughes Fieldhouse.

"It has been a fun and fast-paced week," William Woods track and field coach Anthony Stockton said after coaching his first competition at the helm of the program he competed for. "Coming back home to coach has been a dream come true. Seeing these amazing young men and women carry the torch is something I only saw from the outside. I am proud to be an Owl! Go Owls!"

Outside of Burgher's performance for WWU, the Owls' highlights in the individual track events were freshman Wyatt Martin winning his heat and placing 11th overall in the 400-meter dash at 52.26, Ethan Wilson taking sixth in the 1000 run at 2:33.14 and Demario Wright and Jacob Polacek running the 200 in 22.93 and 23.38 (PR, prev. 23.69), respectively.

In the 4x400 relay, The Woods' 'A' team of Martin, Blaine Brodersen, Burgher and Angel Lottie posted a top-10 finish, placing eighth at 3:30.18. 

The Owls are back on the track and field one more time in 2024, taking part in the Dutch Holiday Preview, hosted by NCAA Division III Central College at noon Friday at H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse in Pella, Iowa.

Results

60-Meter Prelims
34th - Jacob Polacek 7.27
55th - Noah Phillips 7.50
DNS - Ben Speaks 

200-Meter Dash
28th - Demario Wright 22.93
39th - Jacob Polacek 23.38 (PR, prev. 23.69)
51st - Noah Phillips 23.92 (PR, prev. 24.02)

300-Meter Dash
16th - Angel Lottie 37.85 
20th - Keeley DiBlasi 38.68 (First time competing in the event)

400-Meter Dash
11th - Wyatt Martin 52.26 (First collegiate meet)
18th - Tanner Gillaspy 54.96
DNS - Brady Musgrove

600-Yard Run
5th - Oshawi Burgher 1:14.93 (First time competing in the event)
19th - James Ruck 1:21.84 (First time competing in the event)

1000-Meter Run
6th - Ethan Wilson 2:33.14 (First time competing in the event)
9th - Blaine Brodersen 2:34.75 (First time competing in the event)

High Jump
18th - Jacob Polacek 1.75m (5-8¾)

Long Jump
DNS - Ben Speaks

Triple Jump
DNS - Ben Speaks

4x400-Meter Relay
8th - Wyatt Martin, Blaine Brodersen, Oshawi Burgher and Angel Lottie 3:30.18
19th - Jacob Polacek, Tanner Gillaspy, Keeley DiBlasi and James Ruck 3:45.83