ST. GEORGE — One Trailblazer and two Thunderbirds won their indoor track and field events a the Brigham Young University Cougar Invitational at Smith Fieldhouse in Provo last weekend.
Utah Tech University junior Lexi Larsen was victorious in the women’s 1,000 meters, finishing in 3:09.74 for a new program record.
Southern Utah University junior long jumper Cedar English soared 25 feet, 4.25 inches, to win the event, while sophomore teammate Nick Pembroke sprinted to victory in the 400 meters in a clocking of 47.97 seconds.
The Trailblazers established 19 personal bests, according to a news release, and Larsen and freshman Whitney Christiansen established Utah Tech all-time marks, Christensen recording a time of 59.16 in the 400.
“I was very satisfied with the team’s performance showcasing the improvement the team has made since the season opener,” Utah Tech women’s track and field coach Derrick Atkins said in a news release. “While acknowledging areas for enhancement, I emphasized the importance of continuous effort and focusing on details to elevate their performance in the upcoming events. The team is on the right track, and with persistent dedication, they aim to achieve even greater success in the future.”
Other top eight finishes came from Mariah Skinner (2nd, 1,000 meters, 3:15.29), Ashlyn Parish (3rd, 60-meter hurdles, 8.89) Charly Murie (3rd, 1,000, 3:18.76), Addie Payne (4th, 1,000, 3:22.17), 4×400 meter relay team of Megan Jenkins, Christiansen, Ella Spear and Ryan Mendez (4th, 3:57.19), Jenkins (8th, 60-meter hurdles, 8.94) and Rashawnna Gibson (8th, 60 meters, 7.78).
For the Southern Utah men, Easton Smith placed second in the long jump with a leap of 22 feet, 7.75 inches.
Also finishing second was the 4×4000-meter relay quartet of Noah Bringhurst, Dylan Gibson, Pembroke and Jace Rodgers, who blazed to an impressive early-season time of 3:07.98. Nathan Carlin took third overall in the 800 meters with a time of 1:52.09
“It was nice to get the athletes out of the weather and on a dry indoor track today,” SUU indoor track and field coach Eric Houle said in a news release. “We had some outstanding performances and look forward to continuing it next week in Flagstaff.”
The Thunderbird women were led by Shante Myrie in the 60-meter dash, placing second with a time of 7.65 seconds, while freshman Makenna Skoczylas and junior Ariana Baker went 2-3 in the pole vault, both clearing 12 feet, 4.5 inches, and breaking the former school record of 12-4. Baker went on to clear 12-8.5 to garner the school record.
Myrie, Jayden Lightford, Seadra Hamilton and Kimberly Winward powered their way to a second-place finish in the 4×400 relay with a time of 3:45.09.
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Both Utah Tech and SUU will travel to Flagstaff, Arizona, on Friday, Jan. 19, to participate in the Northern Arizona University Lumberjack Team Challenge.
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