Track places 14 in top 10 at Stanford, sets three school records
The Utah State track and field team set three school records and placed 14 in the top 10 at the Stanford Invitational on Friday and Saturday at Stanford University in California.
In a meet featuring some of the nation’s top athletes, the Aggies pulled together and came out with one of their best performances this season.
“Everybody performed their best,” Head Coach Gregg Gensel said. “There was nothing to be displeased about at this meet.”
Both Steve Prescott, who finished fourth with a time of 29:31.29, and Carol Cabanillas, who placed 30th with a time of 36:36.54, set new school records in the men’s and women’s 10,000-meter run.
In addition to Prescott and Cabanillas, thrower Neil Warr also set a school record by throwing the javelin 233-05, ending in second place.
Pleased with the three school records, Gensel said that’s the reason they go to meets like the Stanford Invitational, because it gives USU competition that will push them.
Because of the number of athletes performing at the invitational, Gensel said, the Stanford Invitational is considered tougher than even regionals.
“Considering the competition [the Aggies] faced, everyone that performed did great, even if they didn’t get their personal best,” he said.
The women were led by Candice Workman, finishing second in the discus throw with a distance of 157-09, and Keli Burton, who finished fourth in the discus with a throw of 154-03 and seventh in the shot put with a distance of 49-01.50.
Other women performing well for the Aggies were Lida Clapier placing 15th in the 1,500-meter run (4:42.31), Audrey Golightly placing 23rd in the 5,000-meter run (17:37.28) and Dia Mathews, who placed 16th in the shot put (41-10.50). Melanie Marek also helped the Aggies, finishing seventh in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (10:44.95).
Aside from Prescott and Warr, the men’s team finished with a number of athletes in the top 10.
Leading the way was Josh Sides, who finished third in the discus (156-09), third in the shot put (57-09.50) and eighth in the hammer throw (179-05).
Close behind Sides, Ryan Bruhn also finished eighth in the discus with a throw of 149-11.
On the track, Justin Wickard finished third in the 110-meter hurdles (142.02), Danny Elggren finished seventh in the 400-meter hurdles (52.30) and the USU 4×400-meter relay finished seventh (3:11.84).
Although the Aggies came home feeling good about their performance, Gensel said, they don’t feel like it was enough.
“We just need to learn from what we’ve done and keep getting better,” he said.
USU will host its first home meet of the outdoor season Friday. The meet will be at 1:30 p.m. at USU’s Ralph Maughan Track Stadium.
-csmo@cc.usu.edu