Fresno State Athletics
2001 WAC Outdoor Track and Field Crowns Champions
5/19/2001 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
May 19, 2001
FRESNO, Calif. - The 2001 Western Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships crowned two new champions today, Saturday, May 19, at Fresno State's Warmerdam Field. Texas Christian University tallied 162 points en route to their title, while the women of Rice took the honor with 142.50 points, for their second consecutive title. Fresno State men and women both earned third places on the day.
On the men's side, the Bulldogs raked in 117 points. The highlight of the day was the final event, the 4 x 400-meter relay. The first place effort came down to the wire, but Fresno State crossed in a team-best 3:10.50. Freshman Reginal Allen did the honors for the Bulldogs with the final push past the University of Texas-El Paso team. In addition, junior Mark Unzueta pole vaulted to another WAC crown with his first place vault of 16-6 3/4. Unzueta had previously earned the title at the indoor championships this year. Senior thrower Ryan Beckenhauer finished in second in the shot put with a distance of 61-3. He has already qualified for the NCAA championships at 64-2 1/2.
The women also inked third place after totaling 110 points. The team will share the third place crown with TCU. Highlights of the day included a personal-best mark from freshman Kristin Schelir in the discus. Schelir improved to 153-1 to take third. Senior Jynette Grayson-Reed posted a NCAA provisional time in the 400-meter run at 53.30. Her personal-best time earned her second overall. Finally, the women's 4 x 400 relay also posted a team-best record, while taking fourth. The quad finished in 3:40.08.
The Fresno State track and field team ended the season with a perfect dual-meet record, having taken first place in all three dual-meets for both the men and women. The 2001 NCAA Outdoor Championships will take place on Wednesday, May 30 through Saturday, June 2, in Eugene, Ore. Beckenhauer will certainly be representing the Bulldogs in the shot put, while the fortune of his teammates relies on the remaining marks in NCAA Division I competition around the nation. The fate of Grayson-Reed (400), junior Kayla Russum (Javelin), freshman Kara June (Steeplechase), sophomore Crystal Simmons (Triple Jump) and Unzueta (Pole Vault) is in the hands of the NCAA.
