Solid performances pace Utah State track and field

NAMPA, Idaho — With five event titles as part of 24 top-five finishes, the Utah State men and women's track and field teams competed well at Jacksons Indoor Track for the Boise State Bronco Classic in Nampa, Idaho, Saturday.

Collecting wins for the USU women with terrific performances in their respective events were freshman Rachel Orr in the high jump with a leap of 1.70m (5, feet, 7 inches); sophomore Sam Nielson in the triple jump with a mark of 11.91m (39-01.00); senior Spela Husin the shot put with a personal-best throw of 14.78m (48-06.00), and junior Bailee Whitworth leading a 1-2-3 Aggie finish in the 200m (24.32 seconds) along with fellow junior Aubrie Haymore (2nd, 24.75) and senior Katelyn Heiner (tied for 3rd, 24.81).

It was the third week in a row for Husin to win the shot put, while it was the second straight week that Orr and Nielson captured their event titles.

With a Western Athletic Conference season-best time in the 60m dash (6.85), sophomore Silas Pimentel claimed the Aggie men's only first-place honor with freshman Bishop Bowen close behind in second with a time of 6.90. Pimentel also placed third in the 200m (21.67).

"One thing we like about this time of year is we are getting closer to the conference meet, but we still have time to get better," said Aggie veteran head coach Gregg Gensel. "We had some really great performances here with some personal-best marks and conference-leading marks. Things are going well as far as the progression goes. We just need to stay consistent and continue to get better. The men and women are very focused and that continues to show as they improve each week."

Saturday's meet was a tune-up for the WAC Indoor Championships to be held on Feb. 23-25, which are held at the same Jacksons Indoor Track that will also host the NCAA Indoor Championships on March 8-11.

Other top-five finishers for the Utah State women included senior Sonia Grabowska in the pole vault as she cleared 4.11m (13-05.75) to take second-place, while fellow senior Julia Stewart garnered second-place in the triple jump with a mark of 11.47m (37-07.75). Heiner also placed second in the long jump (5.61m (18-05.00)) while Whitworth added a fourth-place finish in the 60m dash (7.71) to her day.

Freshman Mariah Thompson and junior Amber Thompson each earned fourth-place in the high jump (1.60m (5-03.00)) and pole vault (3.80m (12-05.00)), respectively. Senior Lindsey Spencer and sophomore Keeley Eldredge finished fourth and fifth in the weight throw with tosses of 16.61m (54-06.00) and 16.53m (54-02.75), respectively.