Things starting ‘to round into shape’ for USU track and field
With high expectations, the Utah State track and field team is traveling to Ogden to compete in the Weber State Invitational all day Saturday.
In past years, the Weber Invitational has been a place where USU athletes have been able to shine, said Head Coach Gregg Gensel, and the Aggies, Saturday is not any different.
“This is a time of the season when we’re starting to round into shape, so I’m looking forward to seeing some good performances,” he said.
Competing against the Aggies will be Wyoming, Montana State, Idaho State and Weber State. Although each school has what assistant coach Craig Carter calls respectable teams, he said he expects the Aggies to be the leaders of the meet, especially in the field events.
“I’m not expecting great competition for our throwers,” Carter said. “We really should dominate.
“It’s just going to be a real relaxed, good meet, a good opportunity for the younger kids to be able to let it loose,” he said.
One of the reasons the Aggies are feeling good about Saturday’s meet is because many of the athletes are from the Ogden area, including three on the throwing team. And with family and friends giving their supporting, it is easier for the Aggies to perform better.
Performing better is exactly what USU is looking to do, Gensel said. Although Gensel said he is not displeased with his athletes” performance to date, Saturday’s meet is a good opportunity for the Aggies to qualify athletes for the Big West Conference Meet and possibly Regionals – especially for the women’s distance runners.
Competing in the 5,000-meter run for the first time this season, Carol Cabanillas is one of the distance runners who has high hopes for the meet.
“I’m not worried about who we’re competing against, I’m more worried about time and trying to get qualified for conference and maybe Regionals,” Cabanillas said.
But getting qualified is not Cabanillas’ only goal. She said she is also hoping all of the women running the 5,000-meter can qualify.
And with the talent the distance runners have, Cabanillas said, she believes there is a possibility that all of the 5,000-meter runners could qualify.
“We’ve got a great team this year,” she said. “Our girls are just awesome.”
The Aggies will be at Saturday’s Weber State Invitational without Ian Jenkins, pole vault, who received 13 stitches and a new tooth from a pole vaulting mishap.
Cedric Young, sprints, and Dustin Vetica, hurdles, are questionable as to whether they will be competing, but for the most part, the Aggies are healthy, Gensel said.
-csmo@cc.usu.edu