Track continues domination at three different meets
Utah State’s track team made its presence known all across the land as different athletes traveled to compete in three separate meets over the weekend and brought home several top honors, further solidifying its strong conference presence.
The majority of the team competed at the Tailwind Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M,, but a small contingent of athletes traveled to Orem for the UVU Collegiate Meet. Multi-event specialists Chari Hawkins and Philip Noble competed at the Jim Click Shootout Multis in Tucson, Ariz.
The distance runners made the most noise at Utah Valley University as juniors Kim Quinn and Daniel Howell took first place in the 1500-meter and 3000-meter steeplechase, respectively. Quinn ran a time of 4:39.87 to notch the top spot and Howell ran in 9:18.34. Also of note, Daphne Jones took home first place in the long jump with a jump of 18′ 2, and Ruth Hilton and Alicia Wilkins finished second and third in the 3000-meter steeplechase with times of 10:59.59 and 11:22.52. Meanwhile, in Arizona, Hawkins took eighth place in the heptathlon, while Noble didn’t post a final score after he didn’t run the 1500-meter race.
The Aggies left their mark in Albuquerque, as well, posting 10 first place finishes, led by senior Armahd Lewis, who led the Aggies in most of the meets during the indoor season. Lewis won titles in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, with times of 10.47 and 21.54. Lewis’ time in the 100 makes him part of a five-way tie for fourth-fastest time in school history. It also is the exact qualifying time for the NCAA Regional meet later this spring.
Contributing gold medals for the men’s team, the 4×100-meter relay team led consisting of Lewis, Tanner Hunt, Silas Pimentel and Jeff Alley raced to a 41.01. Clint Silcock (high jump, 7’00.25), Jason Holt (800-meter, 1:51.18) and Eric Larson (1500-meter, 3:52.20) also won titles. Silcock’s high jump was a regional qualifying jump.
For the women’s team, throwers Spela Hus and Shannon Prince shined, taking first place in the shot put (46′ 8.25″) and discus (152’10”), respectively. Freshman Kyli Hirschi made noise in the 400-meter hurdles, running a 1:01.17.
Pimentel helped the Aggies to a strong one-two finish in the 100-meter dash, finishing just behind Lewis in 10.65. A few other Aggies finished in second place, including Hunter Nelson (1500, 3:54.48, also contributing to a one-two finish), Spencer Hall (hammer throw, 149′ 11″), and Philip Noble (pole vault, 15′ 3″). Mercer Owen took third place in the 800-meter with 1:53.48.
Several women made noise at the Tailwind Invitational to take high places. Ashlee Cannon (100-meter hurdles, 13.90), Hannah Williams (1500-meter, 4:42.44), Bri Campbell (high jump, 5′ 6″) and the 4×100-meter relay team of Cannon, Hawkins, Aubrie Haymore and Bailee Whitworth (46.78) all finished second. Haymore (200-meter, 24.69), Alexis Meyer (800-meter, 2:15.14) and Alex Litzsinger (1500-meter, 4:44.05) each finished in third place. In the hurdles, Cannon was only .02 seconds away from the regional qualifying time of 13.88.
The Aggies will next see action at the Sacramento State Invitational, taking place April 7-9. The only home meet, the Mark Faldmo Invitational, will take place April 16 at the Ralph Maughn Track Stadium.
– michael.d.rees@aggiemail.usu.edu