Two USU stars take Big West track titles

IRVINE, Calif. — Utah State distance runner Tiffany Strickland won the 3,000-meter steeplechase and David Danley claimed the 10,000 meters to become the Aggies’ first individual champions at the Big West Conference Track and Field Championships here on Friday.

Strickland, a junior from Orem, Utah, won her event with a time of 10:30.60 to edge teammate Stacie Lifferth, a freshman from Layton, Utah, who covered the distance in 10:31.95. Teammate Ashley Johnson was fifth at 10:53.89.

Strickland’s conference title was the first by an USU women since 2002 when the Aggies had three champions. Danley cruised to victory in the 10,000 in a time of 30:35.25. He was the runner-up in this event in 2004.

In all seven finals were contested on both the men’s and women’s sides on Friday. The meet will conclude on Saturday with all finals.

Entering Saturday’s finals, both the USU men and women are in third place. Cal Poly leads the men’s race with 60 points while UC Santa Barbara is second with 50 and Utah State is third with 39 points. On the women’s side UCSB has 61 points, Cal State Northridge 55 and the Aggies 40.

Among the Aggies’ top finishers on Friday were Zack Lloyd, who was the runner-up in the shot put with a distance of 62-02.25. Steve Strickland was fourth in the men’s steeplechase at 9:01.68, while Isaac Rush was fifth in the javelin at 1980-01 and Justin Wickard was fifth in the long jump at 24-00.25. Clark Bryner finished sixth in the 10,000 at 31:11.48.

Scorers on the women’s side included Rebekah Meier, who finished seventh in the 10,000 meters (37:54.02) and Crystal Thiselle, who was eighth in the high jump (5-05).

Big West Conference ChampionshipsFriday Final Events

Men (USU Finishers)

Steeplechase – 4. Steve Strickland, 9:01.68

10,000 – 1. David Danley, 30:35.225, 6. Clark Bryner, 31:11.48, 14. Jason Holt, 32:25.6910. Caron Campbell, 9:32.60

Javelin – 5. Isaac Rush, 180-01

Long Jump – 5. Justin Wickard, 24-00.25

Shot Put – 2. Zack Lloyd, 62-02.25, 13. Kevin Liu, 50-02.75

Women (USU Finishers)

Steeplechase – 1. Tiffany Strickland, 10:30.60, 2. Stacie Lifferth, 10:31.95, 5. Ashley Johnson, 10:53.89

10,000 – 7. Rebekah Meier, 37:54.02

High Jump – 8. Crystal Thiselle, 5-05, 9. Lacy Schroeder, 5-05, 9. Carrie Yost, 5-05, 13. Katrina Smart, 5-03, 15. Chalise Farr, 5-01