The Vandal track teams exploded to three meet records during its first meet of the year Friday and Saturday in Pullman.
The WSU Open indoor meet is usually a low-key meet, but Idaho athletes did not take it that way.
“It’s not so much what the times are in the first meet, because chances are it’s not going to be a (personal record), but we got out there and competed,” Idaho director of track and field Wayne Phipps said. “Even in the fun co-ed 4×400, it was still a very competitive race.”
The Vandals won six individual events in a meet consisting of approximately 20 teams and several individual athletes.
The meet started well for the Vandals with the women’s team taking first, second and third in the weight throw competition Friday. Senior Gabby Midles led the way tossing the 20-pound weight to a mark of 54-07.50 feet. Following Midles were juniors Kristine Leonard and Sarah Nutsch in second and third.
On the men’s side, sophomore Kyle Rothwell snagged second place with a toss of 52-11 feet.
The meet continued Saturday, when the Vandals took five of their six individual victories.
Senior Jeremy Klas broke his own meet record from last year with 17-4.5 feet in the pole vault. Klas executed a vault that lands him in the NCAA top 10.
“It’s definitely a good place to start off,” Klas said. “I think once I get that full approach down, it’s going to be that much better. I still have a lot of room to improve once I get there, it’s just a matter of putting it together.”
Freshman Ben Ayesu-Attah shined in his first collegiate race as he took first place in the 400-meter race in 49.75. He also broke an eight-year record in the process.
Back on the women’s side, sophomore Kelly Jacka took the meet record in the 200-meter with her time of 25.39 seconds. It was her first meet back after a hip injury caused her to redshirt the 2011 season.
“It felt so awesome — I was so excited to be out here running again, then also to run well and win,” Jacka said. “I feel 100 percent back, so I’m ready to keep progressing.”
Junior Liga Velvere added a victory in the women’s 400 meter with a time of 56.23. She already holds the Idaho school record in the 400 meter.
Junior Keli Hall rounded out the Idaho victories with her first place finish in the 600 meter. She finished the race in 1:37.33.
In addition to Leonard and Rothwell, seniors Alyssa Covington and Rendel Jones, junior Joseph Charles and sophomore Andrew Bloom also scored second place finishes for the Vandals.
“We had some good performances from new guys like Ben and Joseph Charles — it’s their first collegiate meet, but they performed like they’ve been here for years,” Phipps said.