Although members of the Utah track and field team were scattered at different events last weekend, that didn’t stop the team from continuing its hot start to the outdoor season.
At the Stanford Invitational, which was primarily for the distance runners, Amanda Mergaert made her first appearance of the outdoor season. Competing in the 1500-meter run, Mergaert not only won the event, but also clocked the fastest time in the nation so far this season at 4:17.22.
Other notable performances at the Stanford Invitational came from Susannah Hurst and Rebekah Winterton, who both set personal bests in the 5000-meter run. Hurst won her section with a time of 16:34.17, while Winterton finished with a time of 17:15.84.
Meanwhile at the Utah Valley University Invitational, school records and personal bests marked the event for the Utes. Klaudia Rokossa has been chasing the 4-meter mark in pole vault all year long, and at UVU, she finally eclipsed it on her way to winning the event title.
“It felt amazing,” Rokossa said of clearing 4 meters. “I have attempted it so many times, and every time, there were little things getting in the way. I knew I was going to clear it at this meet though. I watched myself on video so many times, and I just told myself I was going to clear it.”
While Rokossa is happy she finally cleared this mark, she is not entirely satisfied.
“It [4 meters] was just a mark,” she said. “I can definitely improve. There are things I can change, and I know I can jump higher. I don’t set a height goal because I want to keep improving and surprising myself. I think I can accomplish some great things.”
In the discus throw, Destanae Howerton-Davis also flirted with the record books as she tossed a personal-best throw of 162-2.75 feet. That mark was just 4 centimeters shy of the school record. Howerton-Davis also found success in the shot put, as she won the event with a throw of 46-7.00 feet.
Capping off the strong throwing performance for the Utes were Aoife Hickey and Anneli Stahl in the hammer throw. Hickey and Stahl finished second and third, respectively, but it was Hickey who left a mark in the record books. The Kilkenny, Ireland, native became the third-best hammer thrower in the country’s history with her throw of 191-11.50 feet.
Overall, Utah head coach Kyle Kepler was pleased with how his team performed.
“It says a lot about the student-athletes and how they prepare themselves properly,” Kepler said. “They get as much practice as they possibly can. It also says a lot about the coaching staff. Kudos to my staff because they really know how to prepare these kids for upcoming meets.”
Some Utes will be back in action this weekend in Tempe, Ariz., to compete in the Sun Angel Classic. This will be the final tune-up before Utah hosts the Utah Spring Classic at the McCarthy Family Track and Field complex on April 12.