The University of Idaho track and field team split forces this weekend but it didn’t stop them from breaking records and meeting regional qualifying marks.
After a week that produced two school records in the pole vault and hammer throw, junior Mykael Bothum broke the outdoor shot put record with a toss of 51 feet, 5 3/4 inches.

Bothum is now the record holder for the shot put in indoor and outdoor track and field.
The record was held by Shana Ball who set the standard in 2000 with her throw of 51-2 3/4
“Mykael has known that she’s capable of this but hadn’t converted it to a marked throw before today,” said Idaho coach Julie Taylor. “She had another throw that was 51 feet and a foul that was even farther, so it was pretty exciting to see that happen.”
Russ Winger continued to show his dominance in the throwing events as he won the shot put and discus and took fourth place in the hammer throw.

Winger broke the Cougar Invitational meet record in the shot put with a throw of 65-11. The toss broke the previous meet record held by former Vandal Joachim Olsen by nearly two feet. All three of Wingers’ events met the regional qualifying marks.
“I think Russ was disappointed, but he was pretty tired today,” Taylor said. “He lifted hard this week and he trained through this week. He continues to amaze me. He still has his best throws to come this year.”
The Vandals accomplished another rarity in track and field as they had athletes take the first four places in the hammer throw with each throwing more than 200 feet.

Marcus Mattox, who set the Idaho record last week, won the event for the second straight meet with a throw of 208-2. Sophomore James Rogan had an eight-foot personal best to come in second at 203-2 and Matt Wauters came in a close third with a throw of 203-1. Winger rounded out the event in fourth place with a personal best effort of 202-3
“The environment was great because they kept beating each other and doing better and better and it was really exciting to watch,” Taylor said.

Christie Gordon won the 100-meter hurdles and punched her ticket to regionals with her time of 13.90 seconds. Teammate Heather Bergland came in second at 13.93.
Gordon said that she is relieved to have the qualifying mark out of the way this early in the season.
“It’s really great to have that out of the way,” Gordon said. “Now I can focus on just running and just have fun with it.”
The Vandals competing at the Oregon Relays in Eugene, were successful as well as pole vaulter Mike Carpenter won his event with a vault of 16-7 1/4. Carpenter set the school record with his effort at last weeks Mt. SAC Invitational.

“I thought it was a great meet,” said Idaho coach Wayne Phipps. “It’s good that we can go just seven miles away and compete at a quality meet. That, combined with the nice weather, allows us to continue to make these improvements from week to week.”
The team will travel to California next week and will be competing in the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational on Sunday

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.