SACRAMENTO, California – Utah State track & field kicked off its week-long stay at the NCAA West Preliminary Championships on Wednesday with a trio of athletes in two events.
The Aggies began the week in the men's 1,500 meters with junior Brennan Benson and senior Devin Pancake competing. Benson finished with the 12th-fastest time overall, qualifying for the quarterfinal round on Friday with a time of 3:42.92. Pancake finished just outside the top-24, placing 26th with a time of 3:45.91.
Benson's time is tied alongside Pancake for the third-best time in Utah State history, with Pancake setting the mark in a fourth-place finish at the Mountain West Outdoor Championships two weeks ago.
In the men's pole vault, freshman Logan Hammer again set a career-best mark, clearing a height of 5.30 meters (17-4.50) to finish 14th in the event. Hammer now ranks third all-time in the pole vault at USU and is the first Aggie to clear 5.30 meters since 1997.
Utah State's stay at the NCAA West Preliminary Championships continues on Thursday with four events. Junior Djamilliah Paepke-Chile and sophomore Valerie Clark will compete in the javelin at 2:30 p.m. (MT). In track events, junior Abbey Bryant will compete in the 100-meter hurdles at 7 p.m. (MT), junior Mattie Geddes will take part in the 800 meters at 8:50 p.m. (MT), and graduate senior Mica Rivera and sophomore Ana Weaver will compete in the 10,000 meters at 10:10 p.m. (MT). The prelims are available for streaming all weekend through ESPN+.
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.
NCAA WEST PRELIMINARY CHAMPIONSHIPS
HORNET STADIUM
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
MAY 24-27, 2023
DAY ONE RESULTS
USU MEN RESULTS:
1,500 Meters (First Round) - 12. Brennan Benson, 3:42.92q; 26. Devin Pancake, 3:45.91.
Pole Vault (First Round) - 14. Logan Hammer, 5.30 meters (17-4.50).
COMPETITION SCHEDULE FOR UTAH STATE ATHLETES (ALL TIMES MT)
Thursday, May 26
2:30 p.m. – Women's Javelin - First Round (Valerie Clark, Djamilliah Paepke-Chile)
7 p.m. - Women's 100-Meter Hurdles - First Round (Abbey Bryant)
8:50 p.m. - Women's 800 Meters - First Round (Mattie Geddes)
10:10 p.m. - Women's 10,000 Meters - Semifinals (Mica Rivera, Ana Weaver)
Friday, May 27
3:30 p.m. - Men's High Jump - First Round (Kelton Chenworth)
6:15 p.m. - Men's 1,500 Meters - Quarterfinals (Brennan Benson)
6:40 p.m. - Men's 3,000-Meter Steeplechase - Quarterfinals (Mark Crandall, Max Wehrli)
9:10 p.m. - Men's 5,000 Meters - Semifinals (Spencer Nelson)
Saturday, May 27
2 p.m. - Women's Discus - First Round (Tori Bailey)
6:40 p.m. - Women's 3,000-Meter Steeplechase - Quarterfinals (Abby Jensen)
9:10 p.m. - Women's 5,000 Meters - Semifinals (Mica Rivera)
- USU -
