ST. GEORGE, Utah — Utah State track & field seized three titles and 18 top-five finishes during the first day of competition on Friday in the Utah Tech Invitational at Greater Zion Stadium.  

Junior Adi Nielson won the women's 400-meter hurdles with a time of 59.83 seconds. That result ranks eighth all-time in school history. Junior Maddie Edwards took second with a time of 1:00.30 and senior Olivia Smith finished third with a time of 1:00.43. 

Freshman Samuel Beckwith and junior Joshua Hartvigsen shared the title in the men's long jump with both attaining a mark of 6.88 meters (22-7). 

In the women's high jump, freshman Madeline Carmona won her first title as an Aggie, clearing 1.66 meters (5-5.25). Sophomore Hannah Lybbert finished second at 1.61 meters (5-3.25), while senior Inka Mehtola and freshman Viann Robinson tied for third at 1.56 meters (5-1.25). 

Sophomore Milly Garren placed second in the women's shot put with a mark 14.58 meters (47-10), and freshman Ruby Jordan took fourth with a mark of 12.79 meters (41-11.5). 

In the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase, freshman John Simmons finished third with a time of 9:24.50. 

Senior Gavin Beierle placed third in the men's shot put with a mark of 16.78 meters (55-0.75), while junior Nate Franz and senior Brandon Ovington rounded out the top five at fourth with a mark of 16.51 meters (54-2) and fifth with a mark of 15.84 meters (51-11.75), respectively. 

In the men's high jump, junior Kelton Chenworth and Beckwith tied for third, clearing 1.85 meters (6-0.75). Sophomore Javin Richards took fifth with a mark of 1.70 meters (5-7). 

Freshman Joseph Turner placed third in the men's discus with a mark of 49.42 meters (162-1), while Franz achieved fifth with a mark of 47.35 meters (155-4). 

In the women's long jump, freshman Elle Jacobson finished fourth with a mark of 5.25 meters (17-2.75). 

Freshman Joseph Douglas took fourth in the men's 200 meters with a time of 22.05. 

The Aggies continue the Utah Tech Invitational tomorrow beginning at 10 a.m. 

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.  

Utah Tech Invitational 

Greater Zion Stadium | St. George, Utah | March 22, 2024 

USU Women's Results: 

3,000-Meter Steeplechase - 9. Sara Abbott, 11:30.19; Madison Strasner, DNF; Shelby Jensen, DNF. 

400-Meter Hurdles - 1. Adi Nielson, 59.83; 2. Maddie Edwards, 1:00.30; 3. Olivia Smith, 1:00.43.  

200 Meters - 8. Autumn Kidd, 25.17; 16. Alison Richter, 25.90; 26. Alisabeth Apedaile, 27.01; 28. Sophie Chandler, 27.18; Breanna Raven, DNS; Emma Reeves, DNS. 

Discus - 6. Milly Garren, 43.11 meters (141-5); 8. Ruby Jordan, 39.69 meters (130-2); 9. Alyssa McNutt, 39.41 meters (129-3). 

Long Jump - 4. Elle Jacobson, 5.25 meters (17-2.75), Breanna Raven, DNS. 

High Jump - 1. Madeline Carmona, 1.66 meters (5-5.25); 2. Hannah Lybbert, 1.61 meters (5-3.25); T-3. Viann Robinson, 1.56 meters (5-1.25); T-3. Inka Mehtola, 1.56 meters (5-1.25); T-9. Sophie Chandler, 1.46 meters (4-9.5). 

Shot Put - 2. Milly Garren, 14.58 meters (47-10); 4. Ruby Jordan, 12.79 meters (41-11.5); 14. Alisabeth Apedaile, 10.38 meters (34-0.75).  

USU Men's Results:  

3,000-Meter Steeplechase - 3. John Simmons, 9:24.50; Logan Garnica, DNF. 

200 Meters - 4. Joseph Douglas, 22.05; 7. Carter Guiness, 22.30; 8. Rylan Anderson, 22.35. 

5,000 Meters - 7. Eli Gregory, 14:52.47; 9. Daniel Larsen, 15:10.42. 

Discus - 3. Joseph Turner, 49.42 meters (162-1); 5. Nate Franz, 47.35 meters (155-4); 8. Gavin Beierle, 45.71 meters (149-11). 

Shot Put - 3. Gavin Beierle, 16.78 meters (55-0.75); 4. Nate Franz, 16.51 meters (54-2); 5. Brandon Ovington, 15.84 meters (51-11.75); 10. Calvin Knapp, 14.96 meters (49-1); 13. Caden Dupee, 11.92 meters (39-1.25); 15. Javin Richards, 11.15 meters (36-7). 

Long Jump - T-1. Samuel Beckwith, 6.88 meters (22-7); T-1. Joshua Hartvigsen, 6.88 meters (22-7).  

High Jump - T-3. Samuel Beckwith, 1.85 meters (6-0.75); T-3. Kelton Chenworth, 1.85 meters (6-0.75); 5. Javin Richards, 1.70 meters (5-7); Caden Dupee, NH. 

-USU-