LOGAN, Utah — Utah State track & field opened this weekend's competitions with two titles and seven top-five finishes across four meets on Friday.
At the Arkansas-hosted Tyson Invitational, sophomore Logan Hammer won the men's pole vault, clearing 5.42 meters (17-9.25). Hammer's personal record improves his mark as third-best all-time in USU history. The performance leads the Mountain West and is tied for 18th-best in the nation.
Junior Nate Franz won the men's shot put at the Idaho State-hosted Mountain State Games with a mark of 16.53 meters (54-2.75). Senior Gavin Beierle finished second with a mark of 16.42 meters (53-10.50) and senior Brandon Ovington took fifth with a mark of 15.99 meters (52-5.50) in the event.
At the Washington-hosted Husky Classic, the Aggies' best finish was 19th in the men's 5,000 meters accomplished by senior Spencer Nelson with a time of 14:01.51. With the time, Nelson now ranks fifth all-time in USU history.
Junior Sammi Lee was the top USU finisher in the New Mexico-hosted Don Kirby Invitational, taking seventh in the women's 3,000 meters with a time of 10:21.35.
Additionally at the Mountain State Games, freshman Jedidiah Megargel took second in the men's 5,000 meters with a time of 14:44.44, while sophomore Milly Garren placed third in the women's shot put with a mark of 14.07 meters (46-2.0). The Utah State women's DMR team, consisting of sophomore Morgan Nygren, freshman Julia Stuard, senior Taylia Norris and freshman Caroline Moon, finished third with a time of 12:21.21. In the women's pole vault, freshman Sabrina Fairbanks cleared a height of 3.71 meters (12-2.0) to finish fourth. Senior Caden Dupee took fifth in the men's long jump with a mark of 6.59 meters (21-7.50).
Utah State continues all four meets tomorrow morning beginning at 9 a.m. (MT).
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.
Don Kirby Invitational
Albuquerque Convention Center | Albuquerque, New Mexico | February 9, 2024
USU Women's Results:
400 Meters - 9. Adi Nielson, 56.21; 13. Emma Reeves, 56.58; 16. Olivia Smith, 56.66; 23. Autumn Kidd, 57.13; 26. Maddie Edwards, 57.22; 30. Alison Richter, 57.76.
3,000 Meters - 7. Sammi Lee, 10:21.35.
Long Jump - Breanna Raven, DNS.
High Jump - 31. Hannah Lybbert, 1.61 meters (5-3.25); Inka Mehtola, 1.61 meters (5-3.25).
USU Men's Results:
400 Meters - 15. Carter Guiness, 49.79.
Long Jump - 38. Samuel Beckwith, 6.79 meters (22-3.5).
High Jump - Kelton Chenworth, DNS.
Husky Classic
Dempsey Indoor | Seattle, Washington | February 9, 2024
USU Women's Results:
3,000 Meters - 45. Mimi Miyazawa, 9:32.60; 46. Emma Thornley, 9:33.25; 64. Shelby Jensen, 9:38.35; 74. Abby Jensen, 9:44.28.
5,000 Meters - 25. Bailey Brinkerhoff-Todd, 16:29.00; 34. Ana Weaver, 16:43.77.
USU Men's Results:
3,000 Meters - 30. Mark Crandall, 8:07.15; 39. Max Wehrli, 8:08.91; Bryce Hill, DNS.
5,000 Meters - 19. Spencer Nelson, 14:01.51; 23. Bridger Altice, 14:11.01.
Mountain State Games
Holt Arena | Pocatello, Idaho | February 9, 2024
USU Women's Results:
60 Meters (prelims) - 12. Claire Petersen, 7.88; 25. Elle Jacobson, 8.17.
60-Meter Hurdles (prelims) - 16. Sophie Chandler, 9.34.
200 Meters (prelims) - 20. Claire Petersen, 26.07.
5,000 Meters - 7. Brie Smith, 17:45.76; 9. Madison Strasner, 17:53.42; 10. Cameron Moore, 18:16.35.
Distance Medley Relay - 3. Utah State (Morgan Nygren, Julia Stuard, Taylia Norris, Caroline Moon), 12:21.21.
Long Jump - 8. Elle Jacobson, 5.25 meters (17-2.75); 19. Annie Hill, 4.56 meters (14-11.50).
Pole Vault - 4. Sabrina Fairbanks, 3.71 meters (12-2.0); 7. Mariah Jenkins, 3.41 meters (11-2.25); 8. Mikayla Dalton, 3.41 meters (11-2.25); Paige Hansen, DNS.
Shot Put - 3. Milly Garren, 14.07 meters (46-2.0); 7. Ruby Jordan, 13.28 meters (43-7.0); 33. Sophie Chandler, 9.28 meters (30-5.50).
USU Men's Results:
60 Meters (prelims) - 9. Joseph Douglas, 7.03; 19. Javin Richards, 7.25; 21. Benji Douglas, 7.28; 32. Caden Dupee, 7.48.
200 Meters (prelims) - 14. Joseph Douglas, 22.67; 33. Benji Douglas, 23.88.
400 Meters (prelims) - 22. Cooper Jones, 53.19.
5,000 Meters - 2. Jedidiah Megargel, 14:44.44; 8. Eli Gregory, 14:59.10.
Distance Medley Relay - 7. Utah State (Caleb Armstrong, Joshua Armstrong, Yonas Mogos, Christopher Kauffman), 10:32.36.
Long Jump - 5. Caden Dupee, 6.59 meters (21-7.50); 6. Joshua Hartvigsen, 6.55 meters (21-6.0); 11. Javin Richards, 5.98 meters (19-7.50).
Shot Put - 1. Nate Franz, 16.53 meters (54-2.75); 2. Gavin Beierle, 16.42 meters (53-10.50); 5. Brandon Ovington, 15.99 meters (52-5.50); 6. Calvin Knapp, 15.95 meters (52-4.0); 17. Caden Dupee, 12.76 meters (41-10.50); 34. Javin Richards, 10.83 meters (35-6.50).
Tyson Invitational
Randal Tyson Track Center | Fayetteville, Arkansas | February 9, 2024
USU Men's Results:
Pole Vault - 1. Logan Hammer, 5.42 meters (17-9.25)
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