ACU Track & Field Competes at Shortened War Hawk Classic

Saturday, April 11

Abilene, Texas

Abilene Christian

McMurry War Hawk Classic

Horatio Brooks competes in the long jump at the 2026 Wes Kittley Invitational

Photo by: Sarah Eunyoung

ACU Track & Field Competes at Shortened War Hawk Classic

4/12/2026 6:13:00 PM | Track & Field

By: Don Garrett

The ACU Wildcat track and field team traveled across town with a partial squad to compete at a storm-shortened War Hawk Classic. Unfortunately, the meet ended with several key performers yet to compete.

There were a handful of Wildcats who placed 1st in their events:

Neriah Williams in the triple jump with a jump of 38-2/11.63m in her first competition of the outdoor season
Horatio Brooks, III in the long jump with a personal best jump of 23-8.25/7.22m
Mariana Van Dyk with a winning toss of 45-6.25/13.88 in the shot put
Justin Smithey continues his strong freshman outdoor season with a personal best throw of 178-1/54.30m to win the discus – through 4 meets he has improved his personal best in each meet
Lola Buentello in the 1500 with a personal best time of 4:53.42
Rylan Smart in the hammer throw with a throw of 166-7/50.77m

There were other key performances as well: Ella Cockrum placing 2nd in the hammer throwing 141-11/43.27m; heptathlete Skyla Riedel throwing the javelin 121-4/36.98m to place 2nd; Ciara Tilley placing 2nd in the shot put (45-3.75/13.81m) and 3rd in the discus with a throw of 141-1/43.01; Matthew Udemba throwing the hammer 160-2/48.84m to place 3rd and placing 6th in the discus with a personal best throw of 159-4/48.74m; and Audrey Chitwood placing 3rd in her first-ever race at the collegiate level in the 3000 meter steeplechase in a time of 11:53.73.

The Wildcats travel to Stephenville next Friday-Saturday, April 17-18, for the Joe Gillespie Invitational on the Tarleton State University campus.