ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Apr. 24) – After strong performances in California, the Central Washington University track and field team looks to build on their momentum as the conference championships approach. The Wildcats travel to Bellingham, Washington for the Ralph Vernacchia Invitational hosted by Western Washington University this Saturday.
MEET INFORMATION
Saturday | April 27
Ralph Vernacchia Invitational |
Meet Information
FROM THE COACH
"Kind of getting down to crunch time, so we are looking forward to getting the full squad going again," CWU Head Coach
Kevin Adkisson said. "These are really important for those trying to solidify their conference marks. We're hoping to build momentum towards the peak of the season. People should be in the type of shape that they should be hitting Personal bests. Above all, people should be ready to compete hard and take advantage of their opportunities."
"Always pleased to see that we are ranked top 10 regionally, especially with the women inside the top 10,' Adkisson added. "Outdoor is definitely the more competitive of the season because of the larger group of teams competing. It's nice to know that we are one of the strong teams as far as that goes."
LAST TIME OUT
The Central Washington University Track & Field team traveled to California to take on some tough competition. The uptick in intensity garnered huge results for the Wildcats.
Braydon Maier had a career-day, clearing the 7,000-point mark with a score of 7,005 points in the decathlon. The mark is the eighth best in the nation and the second best in the history of CWU track and field.
Maier tied for the top spot in pole vault. He cleared 4.70m (15-05). Maier took fourth in the 1,500-meter run, finishing the race in 4:35.22. Maier took fifth in the discus throw, hitting the mark of 37.45m (122-10).
Erykah Weems ran a season's-best in the 400-meter hurdles. Weems ran the race in 1:02.3.
Halle Irvine improved her season's-best pole vault mark. Irvine cleared 3.75m (12-03).
HarLee Ortega set a personal best in the triple jump, clearing 11.75 (38-05).
Trevaughn Scott ran a 55.9 in the 400-meter hurdles.
Alexa Shindruk set a new personal best in the 1,500-meter run with a time of 4:35.
Samantha La Rue snuck over to the Long Beach State Invitational and competed in the hammer throw. La Rue put together a throw of 157 feet. La Rue added a 12.57m (41-02) in the shot put.
Ethan Tonder ripped a 15.45 (50-06) in the shot put, while
Aidan Cain threw 15.30 (50-01).
GNAC WOMEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
For the second time this season,
Sidney Trinidad has earned at least a share of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Women's Track Athlete of the Week.
Trinidad competed at the Bryan Clay Invitational hosted by Azusa Pacific last weekend. Trinidad set a new GNAC record in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 59.11. The time bettered the previous record of 59.17 set by Haleigh Lloyd of Alaska Anchorage in 2015. The NCAA Championships provisional qualifying mark ranks No. 4 in Division II this season. In addition, Trinidad placed second in group one of the heptathlon with a score of 4,668 points.
GNAC WOMEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
The office of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference named
Brooke Williams their Women's Field Athlete of the Week on Monday.
Williams competed at the Bryan Clay Invitational hosted by Azusa Pacific last weekend. Williams set the CWU record in the long jump with a mark of 5.87m (19-02) tying her for No. 9 on the GNAC All-Time List. She ranks No. 23 in Division II this season.
USTFCCA REGIONAL RANKINGS
The United States Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association came out with their regional rankings this week.
The Wildcat women hold the number four spot in the west region. The team jumped one position in the poll after last week's efforts in California.
The Wildcat men are ranked eighth in the region. The team jumped three spots after the performance they put together in California.
