Last weekend at the Idaho Team Challenge meet in the Kibbie Dome, the Idaho Vandals track and field team not only scored a season high 17 first place finishes, but they also watched history as sophomore Keenan Kuntz beat the 60-meter hurdles record and etched his name in the school’s history books. Coming off such an incredible previous weekend, the Vandals track and field team would have their work cut out for them as they would have two separate away meets, both being on the same day.
The Husky Classic, held in Seattle, and the Whitworth Indoor Invite, held in Spokane, were held on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14. Despite being divided, the Vandals stayed composed and delivered strong performances across multiple events, ultimately taking first in five total events.
Whitworth Invitational
Although many key players traveled up to Seattle for the weekend, the Vandals down in Spokane didn’t disappoint. The team as a whole did great, and all had great performances. On Feb. 14, the women destroyed the women’s 400 meters as junior Ryhan Madden took gold with a personal best 54.73 second time. Fellow junior Blossom Omogor finished in second with a season’s best 54.84 second time. On the same day, the Vandals took gold in men’s 200 meters thanks to freshman Mateo Ganje’s time of 21.56 seconds, a season best for him.
Husky Classic
This year’s Husky Classic saw an impressive number of schools. 45 total schools brought their best players to compete in Seattle. From major Division One schools such as Stanford, Penn State and Washington, to smaller schools, such as Eastern Oregon and Simon Fraser Colorado College, the meet featured a wide range of competition and talent from across the region. On Friday, the Vandals began to show their talent early.
In the women’s 60-meter hurdles, junior Hannah Tait took bronze with an 8.79-second time, which was the only track event the Vandals podiumed for the day. Freshman Bradley Giesen started things off for the field team as he took third in the men’s high jump with a 1.95-meter jump. Sophomore Mason Andulajevic also took bronze in the men’s weight throw with a 18.34-meter throw.
The Vandals first win of the meet came thanks in part to sophomore Cami Cvitkovich, who took gold in the women’s high jump with a 1.76-meter jump. This is now her fourth meet in a row that she has taken first in the high jump. Senior Sydnie Zywina also brought home gold in the women’s triple jump with a 12.27-meter jump.
To end the day, junior Beatriz Marciano took silver in the women’s weight throw as well. The next day, the Vandals continued to build on their success.
Just like he has previously, Kuntz took first in the men’s 60 meters with a 6.65-second time, while freshman JaRae Long took second with a 6.92-second time. Freshman Kathryn Burnette finished third in the women’s shot put with a 14.46-meter throw, while Zywina continued her dominance and also finished third, this time in the women’s long jump, with a 5.71-meter jump.
Finally, sophomore Gioele Tengattini took third in the men’s shot put with a 17.26-meter throw to end the meet off on a high note for the Vandals.
With strong results at both meets, the Vandals proved that their consistency will carry them no matter where they compete. From first place performances to multiple podium finishes, the team continued to build momentum as the indoor season moves closer to the conference championships. If these performances are any indication, the Vandals will be a team to watch in the weeks ahead.
The Vandals next meet will be the Big Sky Conference Championship in Pocatello, Idaho, on Feb. 26- 28.