WSU track and field was split in half for the second time this season, sending athletes to participate in Seattle and Albuquerque on Friday and Saturday.

Cougar long distance runners went crossed the Cascade Mountains to compete in the UW Invitational at the Dempsey Indoor Facility while the rest of the athletes traveled south to take part in the New Mexico Team Invitational.

WSU’s performance in Seattle was highlighted by senior Devon Bortfeld finishing eighth in the women’s 5,000 meter Friday night.

“Overall, this is the fastest I’ve ever run at a season opener, so I’m excited to really get in the swing of racing,” Bortfeld said in a WSU news release. “I still have a lot of work to do and details to iron out, but that will come with another race under my belt.”

Junior Chandler Teigen finished 19th in the men’s 3,000 meter and the men’s distance medley relay team consisting of Teigen, redshirt sophomore Paul Ryan, junior Reid Muller and sophomore Justin Janke came in third place with a time of 9:54.04.

“Chandler Teigen ran a very smart 1,600 meter leg in the DMR to move us up to third,” Director of Cross Country/Track and Field Wayne Phipps said in the release. “We have the personnel to run very well in both DMRs, so I’m very excited to see what we can run once we finalize all of our legs.”

Redshirt junior Brock Eager has continued to see success this season. He took first in the 35-pound weight throw competition at the New Mexico Team Invitational with a distance of 20.25 meters, reaching his new season best in the process.

In the women’s weight throw, redshirt sophomore Aoife Martin came in second place in the 20-pound weight throw with a final distance of 17.41 meters.

“Aoife Martin continues to improve each week. She has so much potential in this event, it is exciting each meet to see how she will do,” Associate Head Coach Julie Taylor said in the release. “Brock had a great day and continues to get technically better each meet. I know once he can complete the throw his marks will be even better.”

The Cougars were well represented in the men’s 60 meter dash, as junior Ja’Maun Charles finished in third place with a time of 6.81 seconds and senior Zach Smith finished close behind him in fifth with a final time of 6.91 seconds.

WSU will now look to get ready for the Cougar Indoor this Friday and Saturday at the Indoor Practice Facility.