Fresno State Athletics
Women's Track and Field Takes Momentum into Fresno Relays
3/28/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
March 27, 2000
FRESNO, Calif. -
This Week
Sat., April 1 - 72nd Annual Bob Mathias Fresno Relays - All Day
Last Week
Sat, March 25 - vs. Cal State Fullerton, Sacramento State, NW Nazarene - 1st
Bob Mathias Fresno Relays on Deck
After finishing first in its last two home meets, Fresno State takes momentum into this week's 72nd Annual Bob Mathias Fresno Relays. The Bulldogs will compete Saturday at Ratcliffe Stadium in the Open/Intercollegiate events. The Relays begin Thursday at Warmerdam Field with the small high school events. On Friday, the event switches to Ratcliffe Stadium for the junior college events. Large high school and open/intercollegiate events are held on Saturday.
Bulldogs Take First Against Three Other School
Fresno State took first place on Saturday in its second first place finish in as many weeks. The Bulldogs totaled 235 points in defeating Sacramento State, which had 187, Cal State Fullerton, which had 150, and Northwest Nazarene, with had 74. After the event's opening ceremonies, FS head coach Red Estes was honored for his many years of service to Fresno State track and field. Estes is retiring after this season after 36 years as cross country coach and 20 years as track and field coach.
Recapping Last Saturday
The Bulldogs took control of Saturday's right at the start, with April Weichmann placing first in the opening event of the day, the hammer throw, with a 161-11. Andrea Stelter finished second with a 158-0 while Jamie Farley was third with a personal-best 151-8. FS was also impressive in the 800-meter run, with Brianna Denley and Sandy Russler finishing first and third, respectively. Denley ran a personal-best 2:18.08 while Russler came in with a personal-best 2:20.35. Russler was also impressive in the 1500-meter, finishing first with a 4:57.15.
Throwing Down
Fresno State was especially successful in throwing events on Saturday. In addition to the impressive performances by the hammer throwers, the Bulldogs also placed high in the javelin, shot put and discus. Kayla Russum was strong in the javelin, placing first with a 147-10. April Weichmann finished third with a 118-01 while Jaime Thompson (104-11) and Rachel Bauer (99-4) had personal bests. In the shot put, Weichmann continued her success on the day by placing second in the shot put with a personal-best 40-2 3/4. Jamie Farley also had a personal best with a 36-6 3/4, good for fifth. The discus throw was also an all-Fresno State affair, with Bulldogs grabbing first, second and third. Misty McNaughton finished first with a personal-best 140-9 while Weichmann added to her terrific day with a 137-2, good for second. Farley finished third, throwing a personal-best 133-9.
Vaulting and Jumping to Wins
Not to be left out of the success, Fresno State's vaulters and jumpers also stepped up on Saturday. In the high jump, April Weichmann placed first with a personal-best 5-4 1/4 while Erin Boothe was third with a 5-0 1/4. Also performing well were Rickisha Herron and Rachel Bauer, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively, with throws of 4-10 1/4. Crystal Simmons was impressive in her own right, winning the long jump with a 18-2 1/2 and the triple jump with a 38-8 1/4. In the pole vault, Fresno State took first, second and fourth. Brooke Lankard had a great day, setting a personal best and eclipsing the NCAA provisional mark by clearing 12-4 for first place. Autumn Bell was second with a personal-best 11-5 3/4. Aleyne Tomate, who also had a 11-5 3/4, was fourth.
