Aggies top MSU and MU at weekend meet
The USU men’s indoor track team went 2-0 at Saturday’s dual meet against Montana State University and the University of Montana with six individual first-place finishes.
The Aggies beat MSU 77-67 and Montana 90-56 while being led by Anthony Stewart who had two individual first-place finishes – the 55-meter dash with a time of 6.40 seconds and the 200 in 21.64.
Other individual first-place winners were Trevor Betenson, who won the 55 hurdles in 7.74 and James Parker, who took the weight throw, despite being injured, with a mark of 19.88 meters. Dave Hoffman won the long jump with a distance of 6.85 meters, and DeMario Franklin took the high jump with a jump of 2.05 meters.
The women finished 0-2 at the meet, losing to MSU 64-83 and Montana 68-74, but had two individual winners. Head coach Gregg Gensel said several athletes were injured or couldn’t make it to the meet.
“We need to get everyone healthy, and we’ll be okay,” he said.
The women’s individual winners were Danielle Kot in the 200 with a time of 24.43 and Jessica Owen in the weight throw with a mark of 17.39 meters.
Other top finishers at the meet were Brick Bergeson, who finished third in both the 800 and the mile, Dave Gray, who took third in the 400 and Tyler Olsen, who earned third in the shot put.
On the women’s side, Heather Smith took second in the 55 hurdles; Kathleen Hobbs finished third in the 55; Kristi Connors took second in the 400; Katie Farner earned second in the high jump, and Candice Workman took second in the shot put. The women also finished second in the 4×400 relay.
“We had a lot of decent performances,” Gensel said, “but we need to keep getting better, which I think we’ll do.”
Those on the team who have qualified – 24 men and 22 women – will compete Friday and Saturday at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships in Flagstaff, Ariz.