Two Kenyon records fall in season opener

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- The Kenyon College men's indoor track and field team got its 2023-24 season underway Saturday, competing in the Wittenberg University Tiger Opener. Team scoring was not charted at the meet, but the Owls had some impressive individual results, including two program records.

Leading the way for the Purple and White was senior Riley Orth, who carved out a win in the shot put competition. Among 44 other throwers, Orth topped the group with a throw that covered 51-7¼ (15.73 meters). That distance was good for a Kenyon record, breaking the old mark of 51-5½ which Orth set in February of 2022.

On the track, Tapiwa Gono Phiri kicked off his junior season with a seventh-place showing in the 60-meter dash. He whipped through the sprint in 6.99 seconds, breaking his previous Kenyon indoor record of 7.02 seconds, which he set twice over the last two years.

Back in field events, Orth also turned in ninth-place finish in the weight throw with a heave that measured 44-6 (13.58 meters). Teammate Josh Greville, a sophomore, captured a fourth-place finish in the triple jump. His best attempt measured 41-1 ¼ (12.83 meters), which was a personal collegiate best. Additionally, Ezekiel Kiwanuka, also a sophomore, landed in a tie for seventh place in the long jump. His best effort measured out at 20-9 (6.32 meters). That was also a personal collegiate best.

Returning to the oval, it was yet another sophomore, Dylan Sibbitt, who led the Kenyon charge. He claimed a third-place finish in the 800-meter run, a race he completed in 2:02.09, chalking up one more personal best for the Owls.

In the mile, junior Alex Shepherd and first-year Theo Hordon placed sixth and seventh, respectively. Shepherd crossed the finish line in 4:54.42, while Hordon wasn't too far behind, finishing in 4:58.52.

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Players Mentioned

Tapiwa Gono Phiri: Sophomore; Sprints

Riley Orth: Junior; Throws

Alex Shepherd: Sophomore; Mid-Distance

Josh Greville: First-Year; Jumps/Sprints

Ezekiel Kiwanuka: First-Year; Long Jump

Dylan Sibbitt: First-Year; Distance

Players Mentioned

Tapiwa Gono Phiri
: Sophomore; Sprints

Riley Orth
: Junior; Throws

Alex Shepherd
: Sophomore; Mid-Distance

Josh Greville
: First-Year; Jumps/Sprints

Ezekiel Kiwanuka
: First-Year; Long Jump

Dylan Sibbitt
: First-Year; Distance