Grizzly runners shine at Leonard Hilton Invitational on Friday

Story by Kalon Fullerton

The Butler Grizzlies continued their strong start to the 2023 indoor season as they traveled to
Houston and the Leonard Hilton Memorial Invitational on Friday.

Nazzio John and Shawn Brown starred for the Grizzlies, finishing second and third respectively
in the 60 meter dash. The Grizzly duo competed against 47 other runners consisting mostly
from Division I schools. John finished with a time of 6.81 while Shawn Brown was close behind
as he earned at time of 6.83. The two Butler runners finished just behind University of Houston
runner Shaun Maswanganyi who finished with a time of 6.70. John also finished fourth in the
200 meter dash, coming in with a time of 21.78.

Nickory Richards claimed a victory in the 400 meter dash, as the freshman finished in first place
with a time of 48.78. In addition, the Grizzlies had five different runners finish in the top 20, as
Bennett Feldenkirchen finished 13th while Tomlee Thomas, Ryan Chacon, and Michael Thomas
finished in 17th, 18th, and 19th respectively.

In the 800 meter, Wail Bourahli claimed second while teammate Zach Trotter finished third, The
duo finished almost one second apart from each other as Bourahli finished with a time of
1:53.21 and Trotter came in at 1:54.48.

On the women's side, Star Mpama earned a top 10 finish, coming in at sixth in the 400 meter
with a time of 57.60. Trishanie Warner also finished in the top 10, finishing 10th with a time of
58.54. In the women's 1 mile race, Khloi Bird finished 12th, earning a mile time of 5:36.37.

The highlight of the invitational for the Grizzlies came in the Men's 4x400 relay, as the Grizzlies
took home the prize. Butler's relay team of Tomlee Thomas, Avindale Smith, Nickory Richards,
and Victor Jumo finished in first place, winning the race with a time of 3:09.3.

Next up for the Grizziles will be a trip to Topeka, Kansas as they head to Washburn University
and the Washburn Rust Buster..