SPOKANE, Wash.– The Southern Utah University track and field program closed its inaugural WAC Championships Saturday by crowning Astley Davis, Joren McKeever, Madisan DeBos, Santiago Gaitan, and the women's 4x400 meter relay team WAC Champions in their respective events. The Thunderbird men shot up in the team point standings during the final few events to finish third with 99 points – narrowly missing second place SFA with 100 points. The women finished in a tie for sixth with Abeline Christian scoring 66 points.
Freshman Jared Sharp kicked off day two by finishing his first-ever heptathlon in 4658, putting him seventh all-time for SUU. His efforts were good enough for ninth overall, missing eighth place by a mere 18 points despite a heroic, 2:38.92 1000-meter run at the conclusion of the event.
McKeever dominated the men's high jump with his second indoor conference title. After claiming the championship in the Big Sky last year, McKeever brought his prowess to the WAC with a sensational 7"1/4'; closing out his undefeated season. Meanwhile Ajia Hughes
jumped 5'8 ½" for third place in the women's high jump.
Davis had an outstanding showing in the triple jump, posting a mammoth jump of 50"9 ¼'; to secure the title and improve his hold on the all-time triple jump record for SUU. With his fifth-place finish in the Men's long jump competition, Davis was recognized as
Outstanding Field Athlete of the meet.
The thunderbirds brought the heat in the men's and women's mile finals securing both mile championship titles. DeBos and Tanne went first and second with times of 4:55.74 and 4:56.42 with their teammate, freshman Nixie Killpack hanging on for eighth place. Gaitan surged away from the group late in the men's race to break his competition and finish first in a time of 4:05.46. Harward and Riggs finished shortly behind in third and eighth respectively.
Freshman Jaedyn Carpenter continued his stellar weekend with a fifth-place finish and time of 47.54 in the men's 400. Shortly after, Carlin snagged an eighth place in the men's 800m final.
The thunderbirds showed excellent team tactics in the men's and women's 3000m to secure vital points in the closing events of these championships. Isaiah Labra earned another heartbreaking second-place finish after being narrowly out leaned at the line finishing in a time of 8:13.03 - Santiago Gaitan was just seconds behind with a time of 8:16.36 in third place, while Travis Feeny rounded things out in fourth place with a time of 8:17.06. For the women, DeBos and Tanne finished out their busy weekend with fourth and eighth-place finishes respectively.
Secret McEuen, Jentry Skidmore, Seadra Hamilton, and Maya Benjamin dominated their heat in the 4x400 meter relay with a time of 3:45.08 to take first place overall and set a new indoor school record.
Jaedyn Carpenter, Nelson Douglas, Jace Rodgers, and Dylan Gibson also dominated their heat in the 4x400m relay in a massive season's best and new third-all-time performance of 3:14.03. This time was good enough for fourth overall.
Up Next
Southern Utah will now prepare for the NCAA Indoor Nationals on Friday, Mar.11, and Saturday, Mar 12.
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