This Week in WAC Outdoor Track and Field- May 23
BARNETT BREAKS CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD
On the final day of the Western Athletic Championships, Tarasue Barnett put herself in the record books for the second time in the discus event. She currently holds the overall record with a toss of 61.28 meters back in 2016. On May 12th, her fifth attempt was good enough to break a record that was placed back in 1999. Although 60.74 meters wasn't Barnett's personal best, it is the best the WAC has seen at the outdoor championship.
WAC REPRESENTED BY 30 STUDENT-ATHLETES AT NCAA OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Western Athletic Conference will be represented by 30 student-athletes at the NCAA 2018 Outdoor Track and Field Championships West Preliminary being held May 24-26 at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, Calif.
Men
Tristan Watson, CSU Bakersfield- 110 Hurdles
Guillermo Alcala-Rendon, Grand Canyon- 200
Marcus Flannigan, Grand Canyon- Long Jump
Ryan Girk, Grand Canyon- 200
Josh Hamberlin, Grand Canyon- Hammer Throw
Adrian King, Grand Canyon- Long Jump
Dionee Marrero, Grand Canyon- 200
Scott Marshall, Grand Canyon- Pole Vault
Jesse Newman, Grand Canyon- Javelin Throw
Anthony Phelps, Grand Canyon- 110 Hurdles, 400 Hurdles
William Winfield, Grand Canyon- 110 Hurdles
Christopher Bryan, Kansas City- Long Jump, Triple Jump
Harpreet Dosanjh, Kansas City- Javelin Throw
Carter Grissom, Kansas City- Javelin Throw
Abraham Chirchir, UT Rio Grande Valley- 10,000
Anthony Magallon, UT Rio Grande Valley- High Jump
Jordan Carder, Utah Valley- 200
Adrian Jones, Utah Valley- 3,000 Steeplechase
Albert MacArthur, Utah Valley- Long Jump, Triple Jump
Daven Russell, Utah Valley- Shot Put
Women
Tarasue Barnett, Grand Canyon- Discus Throw
Kayla Finnegan, Grand Canyon- Long Jump
Jennifer Johnson, Grand Canyon- Pole Vault
Alyson Schwartz, Grand Canyon- Pole Vault
Katara Nelson, NM State- 400
Hannah Smith, NM State- Triple Jump
Lashira Tremble, Tanisha Scott, Dominique Joiner and Nelson, NM State 4 x 100 relay
Alena Gillespie, Utah Valley- 200
The top 12 in each event at the regional will advance to finals at the NCAA Championships from June 6-9 in Eugene, Ore.
CHAMPIONSHIPS MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Men's
Outstanding Track Performer: Ryan Girk, Grand Canyon
Outstanding Field Performer: Daven Russell, Utah Valley
High Point Award: Marcus Flannigan, Grand Canyon
Freshman of the Year: Abraham Chirchir, UT Rio Grande Valley
Coach of the Year: Tom Flood, Grand Canyon
Women's
Outstanding Track Performer: Katara Nelson, NM State
Outstanding Field Performer: Tarasue Barnett, Grand Canyon
High Point Award: Katara Nelson, NM State
Freshman of the Year: Hannah Branch, Utah Valley
Coach of the Year: Tom Flood, Grand Canyon