Indoor Track Update - February 23, 2009

Indoor Track Update – Feb 23, 2009

SIMPLOT GAMES
If anything could show how far Titan Track has come in a year, it was the performances turned in at the Simplot Games. Last year, 13 Titans made the trip and gained some experience, but didn’t really have much success. This year, 42 competed (the second largest team entered) and the results were very impressive. The meet attracts nearly 2000 athletes from over 20 states and this year Syracuse proved to be very competitive. Tyrell Yardley had the top performance of the meet as he held his own against the top sprinters from California finishing 4th in the 60m dash. His time of 6.98 is the 4th fastest ever run by a Utah athlete. The “co-performances” of the meet came from Austin Costley and Jake Rossmango. They ran 4:32.35 and 4:33.32 to finish 11th and 13th in the 1600m run. Syracuse was the only school with two athletes in the fast heat of the finals. The 4x400m relay consisting of Yardley, Chris Smith, Chris Jackson and Anthony Winegar ran 3:32.26 to finish 8th. This was the 2nd fastest time run by a Utah team this year and a school record. Smith, Jackson, Winegar and Preston Williams ran 3:44.06 in the medley to place 9th, again a school record. Aaron Hill threw the weight 48'06.50 for another record. He finished 2nd among Utah athletes. Preston Williams’ 2:04.99 in the 800m run just missed finals but was a school record. Preston and Austin Costley both ran 2:02 800 legs in the medley relay.
Hannah Williams turned in the top performance for the girls as her 2:24.61 was good enough to place 11th overall. She was 2nd among Utah athletes. Hannah, Mikelann Wilcox, Taylee Hamblin and Aubrey Eddy ran 10:44.29 to place 5th in the 4 x 800m relay. Sasha Russell’s 10.02 in the 60m hurdles was a new school record. Sasha, Taylee, Hilary Peterson and Lindsey McFarland ran 4:45.16 to set a school record in the medley relay. McKayla Williams’ just missed finals in the 400m dash as her 1:01.57 was a school record. McKayla, Hannah, Lindsey, and Shelby Cadwell ran 4:17.93, again just missing the finals but setting a school record in the process. Jessica Pauni’s 33'11 in the weight throw was also a school record.
Another great effort came from Coach Rob Wilcox. He turned in a 5:40.13 to finish high in the Coaches 1600m run.
Overall, it was a great meet for the Titans. The performances on and off the track were very impressive. I think most now realizes that Titan Track and Field is a rapidly growing program that is going to be a force this year and in future years. Do everything in your power to continue helping the program grow.
For complete results go to: www.simplotgames.com.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Chosen as the Athletes of the Week were Sasha Russell, Kuyler Thompson and Alex Garrett. This selection comes more from their overall efforts and performances from the entire indoor season than an individual effort at Simplot. All three have worked hard and have shown continual improvement.

OUTDOOR TRACK
The meeting for Outdoor Track will be Tuesday, February 24th at 2:30 in the Little Theater. Bring a couple friends. Workouts will begin Monday, March 2nd.

PERFORMANCE LISTS
Performance lists, records, updates, etc., can be found at www.titantrack09.blogspot.com.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Feb 24 - Outdoor Track Meeting in Little Theater
Mar 2 - Workouts Begin
Mar 7 - Clinics @ Syracuse- weather permitting
Mar 13 - Intrasquad Meet
Mar 14 - Uniform Checkout