Spending the weekend close to home, the WSU track and field team continued its indoor season at the McCluskey Memorial Open at University of Idaho’s Kibbie Dome Jan. 19 and 20. Tallying seven wins and numerous PRs throughout the two-day meet, the Cougs continue to demonstrate strong performances.
Caden Hottman secured WSU’s first victory of the weekend in Friday’s men’s weights throw with a PR of 17.62m (57′ 9″). Hottman’s Cougar teammates additionally threw PRs, with Tristian Webb finishing 5th at 15.91m (52′ 2″) and Henry Sheldrup finishing 13th at 13.43m (44’ 0”).
On track, freshman Zenah Cheptoo made an impressive debut with a first-place finish in the women’s 3000m run. Cheptoo timed 9:32.41, 17 seconds ahead of the runner-up.
The WSU women’s DMR team — consisting of Maya McCabe, Jasneet Nijjar, Elena Willems and Neema Kimtai — also took first in what was their first race of the season, setting a time of 11:44.23, fifth fastest in the nation.
The women’s DMR team raced once last year, towards the end of the team’s season. Nijjar said that the team knew they could achieve more.
“Everybody on that relay, including our staff, everybody is with that goal in mind of making nationals for the distance medley,” Nijjar said.
Seeing success early on in the season allows the athletes to see team chemistry and better understand which legs they’re each suited for, Niijar said.
Back on the field, WSU took second place in both the men’s and women’s long jumps, with Justin Sands reaching 7.02m (23′ 0.5″) and Gilana Wollman reaching 5.83m (19′ 1.5).
To wrap up Friday’s events, AJ McGlofilin finished first in the men’s high jump with a PR of 2.08m (6′ 9.75″). Antoni Smith also PRed in the high jump, finishing seventh with a height of 1.88m (6′ 2″).
The Cougs returned to the Kibbie Dome to secure three more wins Saturday. Sophomore Mason Lawyer placed first in both the men’s 60-m dash prelims (at 6.82) and finals (at 6.75). Freshman teammate Grant Buckmiller, who set a program record in the men’s 300m last time out, was runner-up in the same event, timing 6.79.
“I went out there, executed my plan as I wanted to and think I ran a solid opener,” Buckmiller said.
In the women’s shot put, Nana Gyedu’s throw of 14.65m (48′ 0.75″) resulted in another victory for WSU.
For the second week in a row, Eli Lawrence took first in the men’s triple jump, distancing 15.46m (50′ 8.75″)
Alongside the Cougs, Idaho welcomed Eastern Washington, Central Washington, Southern Idaho, Montana, Eastern Oregon, Whitworth, Spokane CC, Pepperdine and other unattached athletes to the meet.
Idaho dedicated the Lauren McCluskey Track in honor of its Pullman native and University of Utah track-star namesake in the spring of 2023.
Looking ahead, the Cougars ready themselves for another split weekend. A small selection of athletes will head to the Inland Northwest Invitational Jan. 27 in Spokane WA while the rest of the team makes a cross-state trip to the UW Invitational Jan. 26 and 27 at the Dempsey Indoor Center in Seattle.
