Garett Graf/USU Athletics

Utah State Men’s and Women’s Track & Field Teams Ranked Third in MW in Latest Rankings

Six Aggies rank in the top 50 nationally in various events

Track and Field 4/11/2022 1:27:00 PM

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State men's and women's track & field teams were each ranked third in the Mountain West in the latest USTFCCCA rankings. The women also rose to eighth in the Mountain region rankings while the men were ranked 11th.

In the men's MW rankings, Air Force was ranked as the top program followed by Colorado State and the Aggies. Wyoming and New Mexico rounded out the top five. On the women's side, San Diego State took the top spot with Colorado State coming second. Behind USU, Nevada and Fresno State were ranked fourth and fifth in the conference, respectively.

In the regional rankings, BYU usurped Texas Tech for the top spot on the women's side. Following the Cougars and Red Raiders, Colorado State, Colorado and New Mexico State filled out the top five. Texas Tech remained atop the men's Mountain region followed by BYU, Air Force, Northern Arizona and Colorado State.

Six Aggies also rank in the top 50 in the nation for various events. Graduate senior Connor Weaver holds the highest national ranking at 34th in the 10,000 meters with a time of 28:54.55. Senior Caleb Garnica also ranks in the top 50 in the 10,000 meters, ranking 45th with a time of 28:58.24. In the 5,000 meters, junior Spencer Nelson holds a ranking of 35th in the nation with a time of 13:50.63.

For the Aggie women, senior Mica Rivera holds the highest national ranking at 43rd in the 10,000 meters with a time of 34:23.08. Senior Katie Haviland ranks 47th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 10:27.56. Senior Maia Garren rounds out USU's national rankings, ranking 48th in the shot put with a mark of 15.83 meters (51-11.25).

Utah State won 23 titles, including 14 from the Aggie women, last weekend at it hosted the Aggie Invitational. Sophomore Maren Garnett won the pole vault, clearing a height of 3.95 meters (12-11.50), which ranks fourth all-time in school history. Sophomore Gia Malone won the long jump with a mark of 5.85 meters (19-2.50), which ranks ninth all-time in school history, and won the high jump with a mark of 1.65 meters (5-5.00).

Junior Jordan Brandt took first in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.40. Sophomore Olivia Smith also placed first in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:00.47. Sophomore Hannah Davidson won the 800 meters with a time of 2:13.68. Sophomore Taylia Norris took the victory in the 1,500 meters, finishing in 4:37.39. Junior Megan Terry then won the 5,000 meters with a time of 18:26.70.

USU also swept the relay events as sophomores Abbey Bryant and Autumn Kidd, plus freshmen Alison Richter and Darcy Jackson won the 4x100-meter relay with a time of 47.57. In the 4x400-meter relay, Kidd, juniors Alexis Koetitz and Jordan Brandt, plus sophomore Delphine Dah took first with a time of 3:53.31.

Sophomore Sidnee Naerebout won the triple jump with a mark of 11.52 meters (37-9.50). Senior Jenny Bitner-Rogers took home victory in the javelin with a throw of 43.21 meters (141-9). Senior Maia Garren won the shot put, posting a mark of 15.83 meters (51-11.25). And junior Tori Bailey won the discus with a mark of 50.02 meters (164-1).

On the men's side, junior Zach Meyer won the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.14, which ranks sixth all-time in school history.

Junior Dominic Bentil posted victories in the 200 meters and the 400 meters with times of 21.16 and 47.33, respectively. Junior Christopher Kauffman also won the 800 meters with a time of 1:52.57. Sophomore Brennan Benson continued USU's excellent performance on the track with a time of 3:50.59 to win the 1,500 meters. Freshman Walker Cole then won the 3,000 meters with a time of 8:29.32.

Junior Carter Lamb, freshman Johnny Cruz, junior Caden Dupee and senior Zack Bell led the Aggies to a victory in the 4x400-meter relay with a time of 3:21.02. And sophomore Gavin Beierle won the shot put with a mark of 17.18 meters (56-4.50).

Utah State track & field will continue its outdoor season at two meets this weekend on the road. The Aggies will compete at the Long Beach Invitational and the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, California. Both meets will take place on Thursday through Saturday, April 14-16.

Fans can follow the Utah State track & field programs at twitter.com/USUTF_XC, on Facebook at USUTrack and on Instagram at instagram.com/USUTF_XC. Aggies fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.

Men's Week 3 Mountain West Rankings: