MOREHEAD, Ky. – It is becoming clear that no one in the history of Morehead State athletics can match freshman
Kalynn Pease's Friday performance at the Eastern Kentucky Invitational.
The Eagle track and field star can add another all-time first to her list of accomplishments. On Wednesday, she was recognized as the first individual in
OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE HISTORY to earn three weekly honors for the same week.
Let me restate that. According to available information, no athlete in OVC history has won three weekly awards in the same week in the league's history.
That's not track and field, that is for all sports.
Bolstered by three setting three school records, likely an MSU all-sport first, Pease was named the OVC's co-Female Track Athlete of the Week, plus the Female Field Athlete of the Week and the Female Freshman of the Week.
"I'm really grateful and honestly a little surprised to receive these honors. It means a lot, especially hearing that it hasn't really been done before, but I know there's still so much I can improve on," Pease said. "As a freshman, I'm just trying to learn, stay consistent, and take advantage of every opportunity I get."
MSU already has been recognized with as many OVC track and field Athlete of the Week honors (nine) in 2025-26 than it had in the last 12 years combined. Pease was honored as the Female Field Athlete of the Week in the opening week of the indoor season.
At EKU, Pease began the day leading off the 4x100-meter relay, which along with sophomore
Olivia Miles, sophomore
Maryah Counts and freshman
Kennedi Alford finished in a dead heat at 47.42 with Chicago State, requiring the timing to be taken to the hundredth of a second to determine the winner. Unfortunately, that honor went to the Cougars (47.411 to 47.413). The time of 47.413 is the fastest ever at MSU, breaking the old record of 48.78 set in 2021.
Pease returned about an hour and 25 minutes later to run the 100-meter dash, in which she finished second in 11.75, besting the old mark of 11.81 set in 2021.
She then turned to the long jump and obliterated her own record of 19'04.00" with a top leap of 19'10.25" to win that event by a foot and one and one-quarter inches. She went over the six-meter mark on her second attempt but hit the winning jump on her sixth.
Based on Friday's results, she currently is ranked 18th in the long jump, 76th in the 100-meter dash and 103rd in the 4x100-meter relay in Division I. In the OVC, she is first in the 100m and long jump, and second in the 4x100m relay.
"None of this happens without my coaches and teammates pushing me every day, and (assistant) coach Rob (Springfield) has put in so much work to help me get to the point I'm at, whether it's reassurance, guidance, or just believing in me when I need it most, so I'm really thankful for that," Pease noted. "At the same time, this just motivates me even more; I'm not satisfied, and I'm excited to keep working and see how much better I can get while watching the team grow."
Morehead State has not had an Athlete of the Week in outdoor track and field since Jarrett Mattingly was named the Male Track Athlete of the Week on April 8, 2021. The last female to pick up the award was Karina Manz who picked up the second of two such honors as the Female co-Track Athlete of the Week on April 16, 2014.
Her achievement has drawn the praise of every MSU coach on the track and field staff.
"
Kalynn Pease is an excellent athlete with an excellent work ethic. The results we see are an example of what happens when your work ethic and your believe-of-self meet opportunity!" said MSU sprints and jumps coach Rob Springfield. "She has bought in and understands that this is not only an accomplishment but an early sign of what can be if she continues to stay focused on the mission!"
"She had a historic day and is ready for a historic season," added MSU head coach Clay Dixon. "Kalynn had a historic day. To open the season like that really sets the tone and makes a statement to everyone. The best part is she is only getting started and something like this could happen again."
"Kalynn's outdoor opener was a big statement. To do something of that caliber is a testament to how hard she works and how competitive she is. She comes to meets to win and dominate, not just be a participant," said assistant coach Grayson Brookshire. "We knew when she was coming here, she was going to do some great things, and a three-school record weekend is just the beginning. She wants to be the best and win titles and that's exactly what we are going to do. She has great support around her, and she is ready for the challenge."
Little Rock's Jeremiah Patton was named both the Male Track Athlete and Male Freshman of the Week. Trojan Cortlin Edgerly was the Male Field Athlete of the Week.
Pease shared the Track Athlete of the Week honor with Little Rock's Brianna Brinkley, who finished second at the LSU Opener in the 400-meter hurdles in 1:02.45, which currently is the nation's 81st-fastest time.
"I also want to prove that the conference you're in doesn't define you, you can compete with anyone at any level if you're willing to put in the work, stay disciplined, and believe in what you're doing," Pease concluded.
MSU will split its squad this weekend and compete in the Raleigh Relays at North Carolina State and the Jim Vargo Invitational at Bellarmine.
