OREM, Utah – Field events dominated the finals on day three of the 2014 WAC Outdoor Track and Field Championship in Orem, Utah on Friday, as Idaho overtook the lead with one day of competition remaining.
For the men, with seven events complete, Idaho is in first place with 84 points, followed by host Utah Valley with 67 points and Grand Canyon with 46 points. Kansas City is in fourth place with 31 points, and Seattle U holds fifth place with 24 points. Bakersfield (nine points), Texas-Pan American (seven points) and Chicago State (five points) follow in places six through eight, respectively. For the women, Idaho leads with 74 points, and Utah Valley is in second place with 56 points. Texas-Pan American holds third place with 40 points, followed closely by Grand Canyon (39 points). Kansas City is fifth with 31 points, and New Mexico State is in sixth place with 16 points, followed by Seattle U with 15 points. Chicago State is eighth with two points.
The women kicked off the field events in the hammer throw, as Kansas City’s Kelsey Benoit nabbed the gold medal with a first-place mark of 52.86 meters (173-05). Texas-Pan American’s Cristina Santiago took silver (52.30m), while Grand Canyon’s Vanessa Levy rounded out the medal stand with a toss of 52.26m.
In the men’s javelin, first place went to Seattle U senior Dylan Burnett, who posted a season-best throw of 67.53m (221-07) to earn the title. Fellow Redhawk, Malaki Seanoa II, placed second (56.88m). Bakersfield’s Karnell Grimes posted a mark of 56.33m for third.
Spectators at the women’s long jump saw Texas-Pan American take the top two spots in the event, posting identical distances of 5.68 meters (18-07.75). Bronc junior Deandra Barroso won the title, as her next-best jump was two inches better than that of her teammate. Fellow Bronc Leocajuan Williams’ career-best mark earned her the silver. Seattle U senior Katie Tougas also posted a career-best leap (5.63m) to bring home the bronze medal.
In the men’s long jump, Idaho freshman Arphaxad Carroll’s first jump proved to be the best, as he won the title with a mark of 7.20 meters (23-07.50). Utah Valley’s Michael McPherson claimed his second medal of the meet, earning silver with a leap of 6.94m to go along with his decathlon gold from Thursday’s competition. Idaho senior Tyler Bennett placed third with a leap of 6.93m.
Idaho junior Matt Sullivan took top honors in the men’s pole vault, clearing a career-best height of 5.37 meters (17-07.25) for the title. Grand Canyon freshman Daniel Zupeuc earned the Antelope men’s second medal of the meet, posting a mark of 4.96m for silver. Idaho junior Dylan Watts placed third, clearing a height of 4.86m.
In the men’s shot put, Idaho senior Andrey Levkiv posted a career-best mark of 17.79 meters (58-04.50) to claim his second WAC outdoor title in three years. Kansas City sophomore Blake Hocking’s throw of 16.67m garnered a second-place finish, while Idaho’s Juan Medina added to the Vandals’ point tally with a third-place mark of 15.27m.
Grand Canyon junior Vanessa Levy captured gold in the women’s discus throw, earning the title with a mark of 46.52m (152-07). New Mexico State freshman Akuadasou Ezenyilimba placed second (44.77m), followed by Kansas City junior Dahlia Dyson in third place (44.40m).
In the final field event of the day, Idaho freshman Katelyn Peterson won the women’s high jump, clearing a height of 1.79 meters (5-10.50), a personal best. Grand Canyon senior Jessica Yates garnered second with a mark of 1.68m. Utah Valley senior Autumn Robertson took third after clearing 1.65m on the first try.
On a day that seemed warmer than the overcast skies would suggest, the lone track finals began with the women’s 3000-meter steeplechase. Idaho finished one-two in the event, with junior Alycia Butterworth capturing the WAC title for the second time in three years. Butterworth (10:50.89) was followed by Vandal teammate Holly Stanton, who posted a time of 11:09.89 to take second. Last year’s champion, Seattle U senior Hannah Mittelstaedt, placed third with at time of 11:15.67.
In the men’s 3000-meter steeplechase, Utah Valley sophomore Trac Norris edged out Kansas City freshman Bryce Miller for the win, crossing the finish line in 9:18.80 to Miller’s 9:19.04. Utah Valley’s Chris Dorton claimed third place with a time of 9:32.38.
Competition continues on Saturday, the fourth and final day, with the men's hammer throw at 9 a.m. (MT). The 400-meter relays will kick off the running events at 2:30 p.m. (MT).
Men’s Team Scores (through seven events)
1. Idaho, 84
2. Utah Valley, 67
3. Grand Canyon, 46
4. Kansas City, 31
5. Seattle U, 24
6. Bakersfield, 9
7. Texas-Pan American, 7
8. Chicago State, 5
Women’s Scores (through seven events)
1. Idaho, 74
2. Utah Valley, 56
3. Texas-Pan American, 40
4. Grand Canyon, 39
5. Kansas City, 31
6. New Mexico State, 16
7. Seattle U, 15
8. Chicago State, 2
Day Three Results (pdf)
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