SPOKANE, Wash.—Central Washington enjoyed a solid day at their first indoor track & field event in nearly two years as a total of five Wildcat student-athletes and relay teams enjoyed Top 5 finishes at the Spokane Invitational at The Podium.
 
"All around, this was some pretty good stuff highlighted by some good placings," CWU head coach Kevin Adkisson said. "Meagan Smallbeck (weight) had a good series and improved every throw. On her final throw, she came really close to her personal record. McCall Dechenne (400) had a really good opening mark for the season, and Austin Albertin (400) also had a really solid opening time. We had some pretty good marks in the 60 meters as well.
 
Taking nearly a full squad to the event (no distance runners), the Wildcats held their own in a meet which featured 21 collegiate squads. This was Central's first look at The Podium, a state-of-the-art facility which opened last year.
 
"The facility certainly lived up to its billing," Adkisson said. "It's pretty cool, with an awesome set up. It's a high-quality venue."
 
Smallbeck and Dechenne led the women's side, as each finished third in their respective events. Smallbeck recorded a 16.93m effort in the weight throw, which Dechenne clocked a 58.63 in the 400 meters.
 
The women's 4x400m relay team finished fifth overall, with quartet of Yareli Ochoa, Sarah Sewell, Makenna Hanson and Dechenne recording a time of 4:03.54.
 
For the men, Albertin registered a top three finishing, placing third 400m (49.97), while the 4x400 relay team of Chris Hines, Albertin, Logan Easley and Aiden Wise finished third in a time of 3:31.12.

While she didn't qualify for the finals, senior Makenna Hansen broke the school record in the 60 meters -- twice. Hansen ran a 7.80 in qualifying, then surpassed that mark with a 7.79 in preliminaries. Only one Division II runner recorded a faster time.
 
The Wildcats now take a lengthy break before returning to action at the Idaho Invitational, Saturday, Jan. 22 in Moscow, Idaho.
 
Central Washington Top 5 Finishers
Spokane Invitational @ The Podium
Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021
Spokane, Wash.
 
W 400 M
3. McCall Dechenne (58.63)
 
W 4x400 Relay
5. Yareli Ochoa-Sarah Sewell-Makenna Hansen-McCall DeChenne (4:03.54)
 
W Weight Throw
3. Meagan Smallbeck (16.93m)
 
M 400m
4. Austin Albertin (49.97)
 
M 4x400 Relay
4. Christopher Hines-Austin Albertin-Logan Easley-Aidan Wise (3:31.12)