Since the inception of the Indian Hills Men's and Women's Track & Field teams in 2014-15, Warrior student-athletes have burst onto the national scene year-in and year-out. The 2021-22 program has its sights set on reaching a new level of success.
In just two meets to open the indoor season, the Warriors have already attained a number of school records, national qualifying marks, and personal bests. Along with the individual marks and records, the Warriors have received a handful of national accolades as well.
The Warriors have competed against premier four-year competition to open up the season as both the men and women travelled to Maryville, MO for the Mel Tjeerdsma Classic at Northwest Missouri State University on Dec. 4 and the Iowa State Holiday Invitational on the Iowa State University campus on Dec. 11.
A program that claims an Olympic silver medalist to its alumni list in Kenny Bednarek, the Warriors are coming off a season where the men and women each claimed its highest indoor national meet finish in program history. Currently, 34 alumni between the two programs are competing at the four-year level while Bednarek is competing professionally under a contract with Nike.
Here's a look at where this year's squad stands as it marches towards the national championships.
SCHOOL RECORDS
In its eighth year of existence, individual records prove to be more challenging to break for the Warrior programs, but a number of individuals have already exceeded past marks in the early goings of the 2021-22 season.
WOMEN
Kahliyah Anderson, 200-meter dash: 24:92 (12/11 – Iowa State Holiday Invitational)
Kayla McCray, 60-meter dash: 7:69 (12/4 – Mel Tjeerdsma Classic)
Kaylen Pryor, 600-meter run: 1:40.59 (12/4 – Mel Tjeerdsma Classic)
Aliyah Simmons, 800-meter run: 2:15.79 (12/11 – Iowa State Holiday Invitational)
Peyton Steva, 60-meter hurdles: 8.86 (12/4 – Mel Tjeerdsma Classic)
MEN
Rivaldo Marshall, 800-meter run: 1:52.41 (12/11 – Iowa State Holiday Invitational)
Roneldo Rock, 600-meter run: 1:20.75 (12/4 – Mel Tjeerdsma Classic)
NATIONAL QUALIFIERS
With the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Men's and Women's Indoor National Championships set for March 4-5 at the Robert W. Plaster Center in Pittsburg, KS, a number of individuals have already hit qualifying marks to qualify for the national meet.
WOMEN
Kahliyah Anderson, 200-meter dash: 24.92 (12/11 – Iowa State Holiday Invitational)*
Kayla McCray, 60-meter dash: 7.69 (12/4 – Mel Tjeerdsma Classic)*
Matayah Naylor, 60-meter hurdles: 8.95 (12/4 – Mel Tjeerdsma Classic)
Aliyah Simmons, 800-meter run: 2:15.79 (12/11 – Iowa State Holiday Invitational)
Peyton Steva, 60-meter hurdles: 8.86 (12/4 – Mel Tjeerdsma Classic)*
Siby Yao, triple jump: 11.22 meters (12/4 – Mel Tjeerdsma Classic)*
Women's 4x400 (Aimaya Drummond, Aliyah Simmons, Temira Goods, Kahliyah Anderson): 3:52.40 (12/11 – Iowa State Holiday Invitational)
MEN
Aniey Akok, 800-meter run: 1:53.71 (12/11 – Iowa State Holiday Invitational)
Aniey Akok, 1000-meter run: 2:30.05 (12/4 – Mel Tjeerdsma Classic)
Damoy Allen, 200-meter dash: 21.79 (12/4 – Iowa State Holiday Invitational)
Travon Chance, 60-meter dash: 6.76 (12/11 – Iowa State Holiday Invitational)
Woyn Chatman, 400-meter dash: 48:18 (12/4 – Mel Tjeerdsma Classic)
Jerry Harper, 800-meter run: 1:56.04 (12/11 – Iowa State Holiday Invitational)
Rivaldo Marshall, 800-meter run: 1:52.41 (12/11 – Iowa State Holiday Invitational)*
Rivaldo Marshall, 1000-meter run: 2:27.92 (12/4 – Mel Tjeerdsma Classic)*
Roneldo Rock, 600-meter run: 1:20.75 (12/4 – Mel Tjeerdsma Classic)*
Aurel Tchanbi, 60-meter dash: 6.75 (12/4 – Mel Tjeerdsma Classic)*
Aurel Tchanbi, 200-meter dash: 21.67 (12/4 – Mel Tjeerdsma Classic)
Isiah Thomas, 60-meter dash: 6.87 (12/4 – Mel Tjeerdsma Classic)
Isiah Thomas, 200-meter dash: 21.68 (12/11 – Iowa State Holiday Invitational)
Justin Walden, 60-meter dash: 6.81 (12/11 – Iowa State Holiday Invitational)
Justin Walden, 200-meter dash: 21.73 (12/11 – Iowa State Holiday Invitational)
Kendrick Winfield, 200-meter dash: 21.45 (12/11 – Iowa State Holiday Invitational)*
Kendrick Winfield, 400-meter dash: 48.11 (12/11 – Iowa State Holiday Invitational)*
Men's 4x400 (Justin Walden, Rivaldo Marshall, Woyn Chatman, Kendrick Winfield): 3:16.03 (12/4 – Mel Tjeerdsma Classic)*
*Current top mark in the NJCAA
To see a full list of the top marks, visit: NJCAA MEN'S TRACK & FIELD TOP 5 | NJCAA WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD TOP 5
NATIONAL ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Three separate Warriors have been recognized by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as National Athletes of the Week for the performances in the early portion of the season.
Kahliyah Anderson (Dec. 14) – READ MORE
Kayla McCray (Dec. 7) – READ MORE
Kendrick Winfield (Dec. 14) – READ MORE
WHAT'S NEXT?
Both the men and women's programs jump back into action Jan. 14-15 at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA. The Warriors will compete in four more competitions before the NJCAA Region XI Championship Feb. 19-20.
The 2022 outdoor season gets underway March 25.