The San Diego State track and field team began its 2014 indoor campaign last weekend at the Cherry and Silver Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M.
Fourteen Aztecs competed, recording eight top-10 performances and one school record amid a tough field. The top-ranked team in the nation, University of Texas, competed as well as five other top-25 schools. The Aztecs sit just outside the top 25 in the preseason poll at 33rd.
[quote]“When you go against such strong forces like those big schools, it really challenges you to stand up and remember all the work you put in and that you deserve to be there also,” sophomore Nicole Oudenaarden said. “Its good practice to run against those threats because once conference comes around or NCAA’s we’ll no longer be shocked by their power or strength, because we will be replicating those powers and strengths in our own team.” [/quote]
Junior Jasmine Burrell opened the meet for the Aztecs on Friday by breaking her own school record in the weight throw. Her 20.25-meter throw was more than two feet further than her previous mark from 2013 earning her second place. Senior, Mikayla Howden, and freshman Ariel Oliver finished 10th and 12th respectively in the same event. Their throws also broke into SDSU’s all time top-ten at fifth and ninth.
Senior Allison Reaser’s 5.95-meter leap in the long jump was enough for fifth place out of 35 entrants. Oudenaarden finished tied 15th (5.60 meters).
Reaser also competed in the high jump; finishing tied 11th with a 1.58 -meter jump and Sophomore Karsen Sper finished tied 18th with 1.53 meters.
On Saturday, junior Kristen Brown lead the Aztecs with a pair of fifth place finishes. Her first came in the pole vault in a mark of 4.02 meters, .25 meters behind the winner. Senior, Holly Waseloff, finished in tied 20th with a 3.72-meter vault.
Brown finished in 8.46 in the 60-meter final to claim her second fifth place finish. Reaser came in seventh in 8.59 in the same event.
Burrell continued her good form from the previous day by finishing fifth in the shot put with a 15.39-meter throw. She was joined by four other Aztecs in this event, Oudenaarden who placed 12th, junior Brittany Gonter who came in 15th, Oliver in 17th and Reaser 28th.
Oudenaarden, Maderia Toatley, Reaser and Janice George made up the 4×400-meter relay team for the Aztecs. They finished seventh in 3:48.39. University of Houston took the event in 3:39.41.
[quote]“Overall, I think it was a good meet and that everyone competed well,” Oudenaarden said. “From here, we can only build and get stronger.” [/quote]
Photo Courtesy of SDSU Athletics
