After a week of cancellations due to weather conditions, the U track and field team competed in two meets. The Idaho State Springfest, which pitted some solid teams such as BYU, Idaho State, Utah, and Southern Utah was where most of the team went, while a handful of athletes were sent to the Oregon Invitational.
The Springfest seemed like a very competitive meet, but BYU did not send its best runners, since the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa constitute a much more prestigious tournament.
Still, the Utes were happy with their results.
“I felt we ran very well in the Idaho tournament even though the weather conditions were not very good,” said U coach Lisa Collet.
The Utes had solid performances from the consistent athletes, such as Audrey Kiser and Natasha Eldridge, who placed second and fifth in the shotput, respectively.
Erianne Allen finished third in the javelin throw and fourth in the 400-meter hurdles.
The women’s 5,000 meters was the best event for the Utes, as the top three runners were all from Utah. Zuzana Sarikova, Julie Osguthorpe and Jennifer Osguthorpe filled the top three spots in the event.
Sarikova also finished first in the 1,500-meter run, while Alisa Fogt finished 10th in the same event.
Alexandria Nash was another Ute who placed in two events, as she finished third in the triple jump and 10th in the long jump.
The handful that went to Oregon had very good meets, as Nephi Tyler was able to take first in the twilight 1,500 meter run.
Teren Jameson was not able to finish first, however. He was beaten out by two athletes and had to settle for third place in the 5,000-meter run.
Tara Hall was able to finish second in the 800 meters, while Nellie Hammons placed seventh in that event.
Utah will compete in-state next week as it heads down to Provo for the BYU Clarence Robinson Invitational.
This will be the second-to last meet for the Utes, as the Mountain West Conference Championships will be held on the 15th of May.
“We need to buckle down and get ready, because things are going to get much tougher,” Collet said