WEEKEND ROUNDUP (ITF): Mu, Piperi Notch All-Time Marks

EDITOR’S NOTE: Much more will be added to this recap as the weekend progresses.

Tripp Piperi of Texas accomplished two things with his sixth and final throw on Saturday at the Charlie Thomas Invitational in College Station, Texas: Piperi did what no man had done in collegiate indoor history, as well as something that only one man had done.

Let us explain.

With his sixth-round heave of 21.74m (71-4), Piperi became the second-best performer in collegiate indoor history. Only record-holder Payton Otterdahl of North Dakota State sits in front of him on the all-time chart at 21.81m (71-6¾), a mark he set nearly two years ago.

Two attempts earlier, Piperi launched the orb 21.62m (70-11¼) for what was the sixth-best performance in collegiate indoor history at the time (It is now seventh, for obvious reasons). Coupled with his now No. 2 mark, Piperi is now the only man in collegiate indoor history with two efforts of 21.62m (70-11¼) or better in a single series.

Texas is now the only program in collegiate indoor history with two men among the top-10 performers in the shot put: Piperi and Ryan Crouser, whose school record Piperi beat by one centimeter (one-half inch).

Another Sensational Performance By Mu

Is there anything that Athing Mu can’t do?

Mu became the fourth fastest American and fourth fastest collegian all-time in the Women’s 400 Meters on Saturday at the Charlie Thomas Invitational when she turned two laps in 50.52.

Here is what Mu has done over the span of four meets.

• Become the fourth fastest collegian over 800 meters – 2:01.07
• Broke the collegiate indoor record in the 600 meters – 1:25.80
• Anchored Texas A&M to a win in the 4×400 in 50.03
• Become the fourth fastest collegian over 400 meters – 50.52

Strong Efforts At The Snowdown Showdown

Grand Valley State athletes shined at the GVSU Snowdown Showdown.

Isaac Harding and Tanner Chada were particularly impressive, notching the fifth and seventh fastest 3000-meter times in NCAA Division II history on an oversized track. Harding covered the distance in 7:53.77, while Chada wasn’t too far behind in 7:56.09. David Ribich, who competed for Western Oregon, still holds the all-time NCAA DII best at 7:50.81.

Hurdling Into The Record Book

Taylor Rooney was on the cusp of greatness last year.

Well, Rooney just put himself into the upper echelon of sprint hurdlers in NCAA Division III history this past weekend. Rooney became the fifth best all-time performer with his 7.87 effort at a dual meet with Bethel (Minn.).

Now, just 0.05 seconds separate Rooney from the No. 2 performer in NCAA DIII history. If Rooney wants the NCAA DIII record, it stands as 7.75 set by Luke Campbell of Salisbury from back in 2014.

Raising The Bar On NJCAA History

Matteo Capello of Vincennes (Ind.) has quickly developed into one of the best pole vaulters in NJCAA history.

After a sensational freshman year, Capello is back and better than ever. Just this past weekend at the IWU Midwest Indoor Classic, Capello became the No. 2 performer in NJCAA history with a 5.36m (17-6½) clearance.

Capello currently owns five of the top-6 bars in NJCAA history.

Topping The Descending Order List

Business is picking up at the NAIA level!

There were 12 new national-leading marks turned in this past weekend, as the season progressed into its final full month. It was an even split down the middle as men and women had an equal hand in those (six apiece).

Remember: The 2021 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships are set for March 3-6 in Yankton, South Dakota.