Though the conditions weren’t favorable, San Diego State didn’t let the foul weather hamper its performance.
On the contrary, SDSU had a solid showing at the Aztec Track and Field Classic, held on March 17 to 18 at the SDSU Sports Deck.
“Overall, I think that considering the conditions, and that it’s still early season, I think the team has come along well,” assistant coach Jennifer Nanista said. “March for us is not a time when we’re peaking at all – everybody’s kind of running through (problems). I think we’re definitely going to see the team start to take off from this point.”
But while the team is starting to take off, some Aztecs seem to have gotten a head start. Though the meet did not keep team scores, SDSU won eight events and medalled in eight more.
Freshmen Nicole Stone (400-meter), Leanne Taylor (discus, shot put), Decontee Kaye (triple jump) and Shana Watson (long jump) all won their respective events, as did sophomore Mandy Upuu (800-meter), junior Nicole Carmier (high jump) and senior Erin Asay (pole vault).
Taylor won the discus throw and the shot put, recording career bests in both with distances of 156 feet, 7 inches and 45 feet, 9 inches respectively.
“She got huge (personal records) in both of her events,” Nanista said. “That was a big time for a freshman to come in, so we’re pretty pleased with that.”
Asay, the Mountain West Conference indoor pole vault champion, made her first outdoor appearance of the season and won with a jump of 13 feet, 1/4 inches. Her performance was good enough to qualify her for the regional championship.
Freshman Kristin Olafsdottir also qualified for the regional championship in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1 minute, 1/2 second.
Olafsdottir, along with the other newcomers to Montezuma Mesa, continued what has been a very strong showing for the Aztecs’ freshman class.
“Our freshmen are showing that they’re ready to compete, and they’re doing a good job,” Nanista said. “They’re definitely going in the right direction.”
SDSU will return to action this Thursday when they travel to Tucson, Ariz., to take part in the Jim Click Shootout.
