The WSU track and field team spent the weekend split between Seattle, at the UW Invitational Friday and Saturday, and Spokane, at the Inland Northwest Invitational Saturday. As their indoor season continues, the Cougs set several PRs and program records.
The Cougs kicked off the weekend’s events with several strong performances at UW Friday. Freshman distance runner Zenah Cheptoo — who made her WSU debut last weekend at the McCluskey Memorial Open — placed first in the women’s 3,000-meter run. Cheptoo clocked a time of 9:12.18, both a PR and new program record.
Micaela De Mello also notched a victory in the women’s 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.32 on Friday.
On the field, A.J. McGloflin finished second in the men’s high jump, distancing 2.00m (6′ 6.75″). His freshman teammate Antoni Smith set a new PR of 1.90m (6′ 2.75) that would have him finish eleventh.
Freshmen pole vault duo Tatum Moku and Eva Lowder marked 4.10m (13′ 5.25″) Saturday, respectively marking a new PR for both athletes and tying for fourth in all-time program history. Moku finished the women’s pole vault seventh and Lowder ninth.
Across the state, yet another freshman impressed and continues to build upon a current hot streak. At the Inland Northwest Invitational, Grant Buckmiller took first place in men’s 400-meter with a time of 46.45, setting a new freshman record within the WSU track program.
The Cougs took the top spot in both men’s and women’s shot put in Spokane, with Naya Nana Gyedu’s throw of 14.54m (47′ 8.50″) and Ronald Grueso Mosquera’s 17.29m (50′ 8.75″).The WSU squad tallied 16 podium finishes throughout the weekend in both Seattle and Spokane.
Halfway through their indoor track and field season, the Cougs have a solid squad comprised of rookies and veterans, hoping to extend their success into the outdoor season, approaching in a few weeks.
This upcoming weekend, Cougar track and field will break it up yet again. Some athletes will stay closer to home to compete in the Riverfront Invite & Multis Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Spokane, while another group heads down to the New Mexico Collegiate Classic Friday and Saturday in Albuquerque.
