Quinn’s record-setting run highlights big track weekend
Several of Utah State’s finest tracksters benefited from the sea-level conditions afforded at the Mondo Mid-Major Challenge at Sacramento State over the weekend.
Most notable for the Aggies was junior Kim Quinn’s school record of 16:46.76 in the 5,000-meter run. The previous record was in place for six years. Quinn was part of a very fast race, and her time of 16:43.51 was good for third place and crushed her previous personal best of 17:06.
“I wasn’t planning on running that fast,” Quinn said. “The pace that I had memorized for the race was for 16:50. Coach was yelling that I was on pace to break the school record so I just held on as long as I could.” Quinn also said the fast pace of the leading pack helped her up the ante on her goal pace.
Freshman Kyle McKenna made himself known in the 5k, as well, taking first place and setting a meet record with a time of 14:33.18. The time is the second-fastest mark in the Western Atheletic Conference (WAC) this season. The owner of the conference’s fastest time belongs to Fresno State’s Paul Zwama, who took third place in the same race. McKenna also worked toward that specific pace in practice.
“I was able to PR by about 22 seconds,” McKenna said. “I was on my pace and feeling really good. Now we’re trying to look at conference (championships). To help the team I’m going to have to get a little bit better. There’s always room for improvement.”
Also setting meet records for the day were Joe Canavan and Eric Larson, who took first in the shot put (56′.00″) and the 1,500-meter (3:48.49) respectively. Fellow mid-distance runner Hunter Nelson was hot on Larson’s tail in 3:48.67. The 4×100-meter relay team took top honors in 41.33. The team consisted of Armahd Lewis, Silas Pimentel, Parker Bluth and Tanner Hunt.
Lewis (200-meter, 21.46), Damian Szade (long jump, 23′ 3.25″), Steven Atkinson (3,000-meter steeplechase, 9:11.43) claimed second in their events.
Lewis also took third in the 100-meter dash in 10.48. Joining Lewis with top-three honors was Clint Silcock, who was part of a three-way tie at the top height of 7′ 0.5″ and took third as part of a judge’s decision, as well as Spencer Hall (hammer, 170′ 3″, and discus, 157′ 2″) and Hunt (400, 48.08).
On the women’s side there were several notable times in the top three. Freshman Kylie Hirschi took second with a time of 1:01.25. Katelyn Heiner ran a new personal best of 55.15 to finish second in the 400-meter. In the top three was Spela Hus (shot put, 46′ 5.5″) and Quinn with her school record finish.
“I’m looking for improvement rather than taking first or second in a meet,” said USU head coach Gregg Gensel. “It’s more about the time and the distance. We came to California to get some sunshine and some marks, and we got that. We had a lot of great performances. Some of the performances we had today will qualify for the first round of the NCAA (championship).”
Starting last season, the NCAA changed from having separate regional meets to having opening qualifying rounds of the national championship, much like the first and second round of the NCAA national basketball tournament.
The Aggies will next be in action in their lone home track meet of the season, the Mark Faldmo Invitational, which will be held at Ralph Maughn Track Stadium on April 16, beginning at 10 a.m.
– michael.d.rees@aggiemail.usu.edu