The Utah track and field squad split up to participate in two competitions over last weekend — the Husky Classic in Seattle, Wash., and the Don Kirby Elite in Albuquerque, N.M.
Head coach Kyle Kepler is happy with the way his team performed, especially since many Utes were able to set new personal records.
“Overall, we made some more steps forward,” Kepler said. “We had several lifetime bests. If they didn’t [set a PR] they just missed. Certainly the highlight of the weekend was Sarah Feeny.”
Feeny set a school record in Seattle, finishing 21st with a time of 9:13.87 in the 3,000-meter run, previously held by Jill Molen in 1983. Feeny’s performance now qualifies her for the U.S. Indoor Track and Field Championships later this year in Portland, Oreg. Although she was ecstatic about her individual performance, she was glad to see everyone else finish on a high note.
“I was really happy to set the record,” Feeny said. “Not only did I have a good race, but we all performed really well.”
Nikki Rietz followed Feeny in 69th with a time of 9:49.19, and Becky Sarmiento placed 74th (10:00.56).
In the mile race, Hannah McInturff finished in 29th with a time of 4:50.53. Sadie Wassum finished in 53rd with a time of 4:57.23, a personal record. Caitie Faust finished in 71st.
The 800-meter run was a competitive event featuring two Utes and two unattached. Senior Ali Eisenbeiss finished with 20th with a time of 2:08.63. Allison Aafedt placed 42nd overall and set a personal record time of 2:12.91. Senior Andrea Chavez competed unattached and finished in 14th, qualifying herself to join Feeny in Portland. Grace Engund, unattached, finished 33rd overall with a personal record time of 2:11.70.
Down in Albuquerque, N.M., five Utah athletes competed in the Don Kirby Elite.
Makenzie Clark finished in 13th with a time of 2:17.60 in the 800-meter run. Dakota Grossman finished 13th overall in the mile with a time of 5:16.20.
In the 400-meter sprint, Alissa Atisme placed 26th with a time of 55.74 seconds. Christine Van Brocklin and Mesa Weidle placed 54th (57.74 seconds) and 58th (57.96 seconds), respectively.
Even with Utah’s successful weekend, Kepler’s expectations are still high because he knows his team still has a lot left to accomplish.
“We haven’t peaked yet,” Kepler said.
This weekend, the Utes will make the short trip up to Ogden for the Weber State Tune-up before returning back to Seattle, Wash. the following weekend for the MPSF Championships.
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