DENVER ? This week, all eight WAC schools are in action, with five teams competing in the Mt. SAC Relays. Boise State, Fresno State, Hawai?i, Idaho and Nevada will make the trip to Walnut, Calif., to compete in the Mt. SAC Relays, Apr. 17-20. Boise State and Idaho will also compete in the Azusa Pacific Invitational in Azusa, Calif., Apr. 16-18, while Nevada will also participate in the Woody Wilson Invitational in Davis, Calif., Apr. 19. Louisiana Tech will head to Fayetteville, Ark., to compete in the John McDonnell Invitational, Apr. 19, while the Aggies of New Mexico State will travel to Fort Collins, Colo., to take part in the Colorado State Ram Open, Apr. 18. The Aggies of Utah State will host the Mark Faldmo Invitational in Logan, Utah, Apr. 19.
MEN’S ATHLETES OF THE WEEK (Apr. 14-20) ? Utah State’s Steve Strickland and Boise State’s Simon Wardhaugh have been named the Western Athletic Conference Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week for the week of Apr. 7-13. This is the first career WAC Outdoor Athlete of the Week honor for Strickland and Wardhaugh.
Strickland, a sophomore from Orem, Utah, (Mountain View), clocked an NCAA Regional qualifying time of 8:57.03 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the UCLA Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational in Los Angeles, Calif. Strickland’s season-best time placed him third in the event and he now leads the WAC by over 16 seconds.
Wardhaugh, a junior from Bracken Ridge, Australia, (Queensland), claimed the top spot in the Western Region and the third-best in the NCAA in the hammer throw with a toss of 224’ 2” (68.34m) to win the event at the Sun Angel Classic in Tempe, Ariz. The throw was a career-best for Wardhaugh, topping his previous best of 219’ 6” (66.90m) that he set at the 2007 Bronco Twilight Classic.
Other Track nominees included: Nick Cunningham of Boise State finished fourth in the 200-meter dash (21.28), good for third in the WAC, and also finished 12th in the 100-meter dash with a career-best time of 10.77 ... Albert Fullwood of Louisiana Tech clocked an NCAA Regional qualifying time in the 400-meter dash (47.12), finishing second at the LSU Invitational.
Other Field nominees included: Chris Witscher of Fresno State took seventh in the hammer throw with a toss of 182’ 0” (55.48m) at the UCLA Invitational ... Blake Hadfield of Utah State placed eighth in the triple jump at the UCLA Invitational, leaping a season-best 47’ 10” (14.58m).
WOMEN’S ATHLETES OF THE WEEK (Apr. 14-20) ? Louisiana Tech’s Chasidee Lewis and Nadia Alexander have been named the Western Athletic Conference Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week for the week of Apr. 7-13. This is the first career WAC Outdoor Athlete of the Week honor for Lewis and the second career honor for Alexander, who has already earned the award once this season.
Lewis, a freshman from Alexandria, La., (Alexandria) ran a WAC-leading 100-meter dash at the LSU Invitational in Baton Rouge, La., clocking a time of 11.56 to finish fifth in the event.
Alexander, a junior from Kingston, Jamaica, (St. Hugh’s), finished first in the shot put at the LSU Invitational in Baton Rouge, La., with a personal-best toss of 51’ 11.25” (15.83m). Alexander improved her NCAA Regional qualifying mark by nearly eight inches and moved atop the WAC standings in the event.
Other Track nominees included: Kayleen McDowell of Boise State won the 800-meter dash at the Sun Angel Classic in Tempe, Ariz., with a personal-best and NCAA Regional qualifying time of 2:09.61, which leads the WAC and is the 10th-best in the Western Region ... Devin Brooks of New Mexico State broke the school record for the second week in a row in the 100-meter hurdles, clocking a time of 14.25 at the UTEP Invitational in El Paso, Texas ... Katie Thatcher of Utah State posted a season-best and NCAA Regional qualifying time of 1:00.68 in the 400-meter dash, good for fifth-place at the UCLA Invitational.
Other Field nominees included: Eleni Kafourou of Boise State tied for third in the long jump at the Sun Angel Classic in Tempe, Ariz., with a leap of 19’ 11.5” (6.08m), earning the top spot in the WAC and tied for second in the Western Region ... Kayla Xavier of Fresno State placed third in the shot put at the UCLA Invitational in Los Angeles, Calif., registering a mark of 45’ 9.25” (13.95m) ... Randi Grimes of New Mexico State recorded a second-place finish in the hammer throw with a toss of 165’ 10” (50.54m) and a fifth-place finish in the javelin with a mark of 129’ 7” (39.50m) at the UTEP Invitational in El Paso, Texas ... Krista Larson of Utah State registered an NCAA Regional qualifying mark in the hammer throw with a toss of 178’ 10” (54.52m), placing fourth at the UCLA Invitational.
Boise State Broncos
Boise State competed in the Sun Angel Classic in Tempe, Ariz., tallying six NCAA Regional qualifying standards ... junior Simon Wardhaugh claimed the top spot in the Western Region and third-best in the NCAA in the hammer throw (224’ 2”/68.34m) to win the event ... junior Ryan Grinnell earned an NCAA Regional qualifying mark and finished second in the triple jump (52’ 8.75”/16.07m), placing him first in the Western Region and third in the NCAA ... sophomore Zacharias Arnos improved on his NCAA Regional qualifying mark in the triple jump (50’ 6.25”/15.40m), finishing third and securing the fourth-place spot in the region ... on the women’s side, junior Kayleen McDowell won the 800-meter dash with a WAC-best and NCAA Regional qualifying time of 2:09.61 ... Eleni Kafourou finished tied for third in the long jump (19’ 11.5”/6.08m), while Megan Olivetti earned a personal-best and NCAA Regional qualifying time in the 100-meter hurdles, clocking a time of 13.92 ... this weekend, the Broncos will compete in the Azusa Pacific Invitational, Apr. 16-17, and the Mt. SAC Relays, Apr. 17-20.
Fresno State Bulldogs
Fresno State competed in the UCLA Invitational in Los Angeles, Calif., Apr. 10-12 ... on the women’s side, freshman Kayla Xavier earned the Bulldogs best finish, finishing third in the shot put with a toss of 45’ 9.25” (13.95m) ... Xavier also competed in the hammer throw open division, recording a mark of 147’ 8” (45.01m) ... sophomore Sharon Ayala placed eighth in the hammer throw invitational division with a toss of 189’ 4” (57.72m) ... on the men’s side, seniors Chris Witscher and Oscar Rodriguez competed in the hammer throw invitational division, with Witscher taking seventh with a throw of 182’ 0” (55.48m) and Rodriguez placing ninth with a toss of 172’ 1” (52.46m) ... the Bulldogs return to action this week when they travel to Walnut, Calif., to take part in the 50th annual Mt. SAC Relays ... long-time Fresno State head coach Bob Fraley will be inducted into the Mt. SAC Relays Hall of Fame at the relay’s banquet on Apr. 17, honoring Fraley’s integral role in the Bulldog program for 28 years.
Hawai?i Rainbow Wahine
Hawai?i hosted the Sunset Meet #3 at Cooke Field, Apr. 12, where a number of Rainbow Wahine athletes posted standout performances ... sophomore Amber Kaufman won the high jump with a leap of 5’ 10.75” (1.80m), while senior Annett Wichmann posted a pair of personal-bests in the long jump (18’ 10.75”/5.76m) and javelin (150’ 4”/45.83m), breaking the Rainbow Wahine record in the javelin ... senior Patricia Gauthier matched Jessica Custance’s school record mark of 13’ 1.5” (4.00m) in the pole vault to finish first ... junior Ava Marie Cavaco threw a personal-best in the hammer throw (166’ 6”/50.75m), becoming the fourth Hawai?i athlete to top 50 meters ... senior Meghan Weaver fell just shy of breaking her own school record in the shot put with a heave of 51’ 3” (15.62m) ... up next, the Rainbow Wahine will compete in five meets in five days throughout southern California, including the CSULA Twilight Open, Mt. SAC Multi-Events, Mt. SAC Relays, Azusa Pacific Invitational and the Long Beach Invitational.
Idaho Vandals
Idaho participated in the Pelluer Invitational in Cheney, Wash., Apr. 11-12, where four NCAA Regional qualifying standards were achieved ... two athletes, juniors K.C. Dahlgren and David Holmon, hit Regional marks for the second-straight weekend, while junior Matt Wauters qualified in the hammer throw for the first time with a toss of 193’ 6” ... senior Russ Winger added a qualifying mark in a second event , launching the hammer throw a personal-best 194’ 3” ... Dahlgren cleared a height of 12’ 9.5” in the pole vault to tie the meet record and win the event, while Holmon soared a personal-best 51’ 1” in the triple jump to take first ... sophomore AshLee Rey ran a personal-best 57.14 in the 400-meter dash, finishing second, while redshirt freshman Nikita Amy launched the hammer a personal-best 141’ 9” ... sophomore Beau Whitney threw a six-foot personal best in the discus place second with a toss of 168’ 9” ... the Vandals next stop will be in Walnut, Calif., for the Azusa Pacific Multi-Events on Apr. 16-17 and the Mt. SAC Relays on Apr. 18-20.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Louisiana Tech put in a strong performance at the LSU Tiger Invitational in Baton Rouge, La., Apr. 12 ... on the women’s side, freshman Chasidee Lewis ran an NCAA Regional qualifying time and WAC-leading 100-meter dash, clocking a time of 11.56 to finish fifth in the event, while junior Nadia Alexander won the shot put with a WAC-best launch of 51’ 11.25”, improving her NCAA Regional mark by nearly eight inches ... junior Antoinette Cobb took third in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:04.83, while freshman Quatisha Williams finished third in the long jump with a mark of 18’ 9.25” ... on the men’s side, sophomore Al Fullwood finished second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 47.12, earning an NCAA Regional qualifying time ... junior Cory Denstel took second in the 1,500-meter run (3:53.65), while junior Michael Coleman placed third in the 100-meter dash with a WAC-leading 10.49 ... Louisiana Tech returns to action this weekend at the John McDonnell Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., hosted by the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Nevada Wolf Pack
Nevada competed in the prestigious Stanford Invitational, Apr. 4-5, in Palo Alto, Calif., where the Wolf Pack recorded two NCAA regional qualifying marks ... senior Inger Appanaitis recorded her third qualifying standard in as many weeks, placing third in the javelin with a launch of 163’ 8” (49.90m) ... in addition to her third-place finish, Appanaitis recorded the highest individual finish for the Wolf Pack, coming in second in the hammer throw with a personal-best toss of 176’ 1.5” (53.69m) ... sophomore Constance McAlman finished seventh with an NCAA regional qualifying mark of 182’ 11.5” (55.77m) in the hammer throw, and also placed fourth in the discus with a personal-best throw of 149’ 9.5” (45.65m) ... the Wolf Pack recorded four other top-20 finishes, including Aurelia Houston in the triple jump (10th) and Polly Smith in the 400-meter hurdles (15th) ... up next, the Wolf Pack return to action at both the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif., on Apr. 18, and the Woody Wilson Invite in Davis, Calif., on Apr. 19.
New Mexico State Aggies
New Mexico State turned in a strong performance at the UTEP Invitational in El Paso, Texas, Apr. 12 ... for the second week in a row, freshman hurdler Devin Brooks broke the Aggie school record in the 100-meter hurdles, clocking a time of 14.25 ... the Aggies had four top-10 finishes in the 1,500-meter run, led by sophomore Christina Herrera in second (4:49.49), Ingrid Flores in third (4:49.97), freshman Brandi Gutierrez in fifth (4:54.99) and Amy Arenas was eighth (4:49.76) ... in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, sophomore Caprice Bradshaw recorded a time of 11:36.13, placing her third in the event ... the Aggies earned five top-10 finishes in the hammer throw, including junior Randi Grimes in second (165’ 10”), sophomore Jordan Veney in third (155’ 10”), Jennifer McConnell in fourth (152’ 4”), Michelle Barnard in sixth (145’ 0”) and Kara Sparks was 10th (122’ 0”) ... Veney also took fourth in the hammer discus (143’ 11”) and sixth in the shot put (41’ 4.25”) ... the Aggies next stop is in Fort Collins, Colo., Apr. 18, at the Colorado State Ram Open.
Utah State Aggies
Utah State competed in the UCLA Invitational, Apr. 12, in Los Angeles, Calif., tallying 20 individual top-10 finishes, including two individual event winners ... senior Stacie Lifferth-Dorius won the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a WAC-best and NCAA Regional qualifying time of 10:36.65, which is also a season-best ... junior Seth Wold posted WAC-leading times in both the 5,000 and 10,000-meter runs, winning the 10,000-meter race (30:58.35) and finishing second in the 5,000-meter run (14:31.55) ... sophomore Steve Strickland finished third in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with an NCAA Regional qualifying and season-best time of 8:57.03 ... senior Dasheek Akwenye placed fourth in the 400-meters with an NCAA Regional qualifying time of 46.96 ... three Aggies posted NCAA Regional qualifying marks in the 400-meter hurdles, including junior Katie Thatcher in fifth (1:00.68) and freshmen Heidi Hopkins in seventh (1:02.71) and Camille Fehlberg in ninth (1:03.25) ... this week, the Aggies continue action at home, Apr. 19, hosting the Mark Faldmo Invitational in Logan.
WAC CHAMPIONSHIP RETURNS TO BOISE ? The 2008 edition of the WAC Championship returns to Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. The meet will be held May 14-17 with the men’s decathlon and women’s heptathlon multi-events on May 14-15, and the preliminaries and finals on May 16-17.
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP ? The 2008 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship will be in Des Moines, Iowa, June 11-14, with Drake University hosting the event.
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