Madisyn Ehrlich knew her 800-meter race in the Coyote Distance Carnival would not be easy for one obvious reason.

Tabetha Deines, a former multi-time NAIA All-American and current Kansas Wesleyan assistant track coach, stood beside Ehrlich at the starting line then ran stride for stride with her the entire race.

Ehrlich, an indoor track All-American and sophomore standout this spring, won edging her coach and mentor by less than a second Friday night at Olson Family Track at JRI Stadium and the Graves Family Sports Complex. Ehrlich gained a slim advantage in the home stretch and crossed the finish line in 2:16.85, Deines was by her side in 2:17.43.

"I knew coming in she was going to compete and I knew what (time) she was going to try and hit," said Ehrlich who ran at Sacred Heart High School. "It was good having her in the race and setting the pace.

"She told me if I felt good to go and she pushed me all the way to the finish line. She's a great person and great competitor."

Ehrlich and Deines, who ran for Salina Central, were not KWU teammates but have worked together extensively since Ehrlich arrival in the fall of 2022.

"It's cool when you have two school record holders toeing the line against each other," Wesleyan coach Kyle Hiser said. "Those two ladies are from Salina so getting to run at home under the lights they really showed up and showed out. They're both awesome athletes and have meant a lot to this program."

Josie Koppes was sixth (2:26.12) and Allyson Taylor 11th (2:33.58) for the Coyotes.

Freshman Wyatt Johnson was the top KWU finisher in the men's 800-meter race, placing second. He passed teammate Carter Huyser (1:53.63) down the stretch and qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Championships by meeting the B standard in a time of 1:52.19.

"I wanted to go out faster than I have been," Johnson said. "Next thing I knew I felt really good and just kept going. I thought with 200 meters left I'd just die off, but I just kept going somehow. I've had this kick, it just hasn't worked this well."

"You couldn't have asked for a better race from a freshman," Hiser said of Johnson. "His tactics were darn near flawless and he kept moving up. Last year when we recruited him, we knew he had ton of talent and tonight I think he showed the rest of the country he's someone to watch for."

KWU's Julian Avila was fourth (1:54.78), Tristan Cottone seventh (1:57.57), Nicholas Martinez 10th (1:58.27) and Roman Mai 26th (2:05.87).  

Freshmen sprinters Zamari Burrell and Brionna Floyd had impressive outings as well. Burrell won the men's 100 meters in 10.73 seconds and 200 meters in 21.82 while Floyd claimed the women's 100 (12.79) and 400 (1:01.16).

"(Burrell) is running some times that we haven't ran in a while," Hiser said. "He's going to continue to get better. Brionna's ran really well too. First time we've had sprint events here since 2017."

Tyler Fontenot placed fourth in the men's 100 meters (11.09), DeJaylon Beal was sixth (11.28), Riley Garcia seventh (11.41) and James Preston 11th (11.69). Fontenot was sixth in the 200 (23.05) and Preston ninth (23.68). Beal placed third in the 400 meters (52.28) and Garcia fourth (54.57).

Julie Rottinghaus took second in the women's 100 meters and Grace Conner fourth (13.16). Conner placed second in the 200 meters (27.18) and Hallie West third (30.08). In the 400 meters Rottinghaus finished third (1:02.85), Yamyle Ramirez fourth (1:05.86) and Dahn Hanlon fifth (1:06.55).

In the women's 1,500 meters Joni Schroeder was sixth (4:56.89), Shelby Lingle eighth (5:02.83), Alayna Behrman ninth (5:05.78), Kierra Jensen 10th (5:06.78) and Charlee Lind 17th (5:25.33).

Ty Davidson led the Coyotes contingent in the men's 1,500 meters with a second-place finish in 4:01.71. Damion Jackson was third (4:03.38), Giovanni Rios fourth (4:04.99) and Brenden Ellis eighth (4:09.65).

Tytus Reed was the top Coyote in the men's 5,000 meters placing third in 15.30.72.  Cisco Alvarez was fifth (15:39.00), Jake Cruz sixth (15:45.16), Zack Tibbits ninth (16.30.70), Shane Calvin 10th (16:47.53) and Brodie Bradshaw 11th (16:51.38).  

"We wanted to put on a good show for the community and I think we did a pretty good job of that," Hiser said.