Harding Women's Track Shines with NCAA Provisional Performances at Indoor Gorilla Classic

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Harding women's indoor track and field showcased two NCAA provisional performances at the 9th Annual Indoor Gorilla Classic, hosted by Pittsburg State University at the Robert W. Plaster Center over the weekend.

Freshman Paula Pelzer secured third place in the 400 meters with a time of 55.50 seconds, just shy of her season-best of 55.19. Currently, she ranks 16th in Division II for this season in the event.

In the triple jump, sophomore Karyna Vehner clinched seventh place, landing at 11.73m (38-6) on her fifth jump out of six. Her season-best mark of 11.93m (39-1.75) positions her 27th nationally in the event.

Additionally, two other Harding athletes claimed top-eight finishes. Freshman Leila Ngapout secured sixth place in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.71 seconds, while sophomore Cella Nguema took eighth in the 60-meter hurdles, finishing in 8.91 seconds.

Nguema broke her own school record in the 60-meter hurdle preliminaries, clocking in at 8.87 seconds, surpassing her previous record of 8.90 seconds.

Currently, Harding women's track has two athletes positioned for selection to the national meet, both in the 400 meters. Omolara Ogunmakinju ranks 12th with a season-best time of 54.74, while Pelzer sits 16th with her time of 55.19.

Next up for Harding is the Don DeNoon Invitational next Saturday in Carbondale, Illinois, hosted by Southern Illinois University.

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Players Mentioned

Cella Nguema: S/H; 5' 7"; Freshman

Karyna Vehner: PV/J; 5' 6"; Freshman

Leila Ngapout: S; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Cella Nguema
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: S/H

Karyna Vehner
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: PV/J

Leila Ngapout
: Freshman
: S