SPOKANE, Wash.—Central Washington's Meagan Smallbeck took top honors in the weight throw to lead a strong overall effort for the Wildcats on day one of the Washington State Cougar Open, Friday at The Podium.
 
Smallbeck defeated a field chock full of Division I student-athletes, besting her competitors with a throw of 16.47 meters.
 
"Megan had a great day," head coach Kevin Adkisson said. "She was ready to compete hard, and hopefully she can keep building on this effort the rest of the season."
 
Smallbeck was one of five Wildcats to enjoy a top-three finish in their respective events, and another five Wildcats and one relay team secured top five finishes.
 
Austin Albertin placed second in the 400m, crossing the finish line in 49.09. McCall DeChenne was second in the 400m dash (59.00) and Kylie Griffin finished second in the high jump (1.60m).
 
Freshman Sarah Sewell rounded out Central's top three finishers with a third-place effort in the 800 (2:18.83).
 
"Pretty solid day overall for us, Adkisson said. "We had a handful of top three finishers, which is always encouraging to see."
 
Despite finishing fifth in the finals, senior Makenna Hansen continued her impressive start to the indoor season as she once again broke her own school record in the 60m with a 7.78 during prelims. It's already the third time this season Hansen has bested the school mark in that race.
 
"Makenna was at it again," Adkisson said. "She wasn't quite as quick in the final as she was in preliminaries but she's looking really good early here in the season."
 
The Cougar Open concludes on Saturday.
 
Central Washington Top 5 Finishers
Day One - Washington State Cougar Open
Friiday, Jan. 14, 2022
Spokane, Wash.
 
Women 60 Dash
5     Makenna Hansen               7.83
 
Men 200 Dash
5     Austin Albertin                    22.60
 
Men 400 Dash
2     Austin Albertin                    49.09
 
Women 400 Dash
2     McCall DeChenne               59.00
 
Women 800
3     Sarah Sewell                        2:18.83
 
Women High Jump
2     Kylie Griffin                          1.60m
 
Men Pole Vault
4     Tysen Campbell                  4.30m
 
Women Shot Put
5     Avery Fisk                             12.50m
 
Women Weight Throw
1     Meagan Smallbeck             16.47m
 
Men Weight Throw
5     Omar Young                        15.90m
 
Men 4x400 Meter Relay
5     CWU                                      3:28.13
Zachary Davis-Bryan Sidor-Christopher Hines-Austin Albertin