In the first meet of the season, the U indoor track and field team did not disappoint at the Wildcat Invitational, held in Ogden.
This was the first meet for new U coach Lisa Collet, and her athletes did not seem to have a rough transition from the previous coach, Mike Jones, who retired after 22 years.
Utah dominated the women’s shotput, as the top four positions were held by U players. Audrey Kiser, Noelle Pikus, Natasha Eldredge and Erianne Allen seemed to be a notch above any of the other competitors at the invitational.
Pikus also finished fourth in the high jump, while April Jackson finished third. Jackson also finished second in the second heat of the 200-meter dash and first in heat No. 1 of the 55-meter hurdles.
In the finals of the 55-meter hurdles, Jackson finished second to finish off a great start to the season for her.
Alexandria Nash was the only player from the squad to place in the triple jump, as she finished in second place.
On the men’s side, B.J. Christenson was the only player to place first as he did in heat No. 2 of the mile run.
Nephi Tyler placed third in heat No. 1 of the mile run, and Colby Frazier finished fifth in the same event.
Lion Gallegos finished eighth in the 3,000-meter run, while Romney Stevens finished one spot behind Gallegos in the ninth slot.
In her fist meet of the year, Collet should be pleased with her team’s efforts, especially with Jackson’s performance and the entire shotput team performing the way they did.
The Utes will be in action next week as they travel to compete in the Snake River open.