Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
USC Invitational
Jordan Dominates at USC Trojan Invite
3/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
March 22, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The Bulldogs shined at the USC Trojan Invitational at Loker Stadium in Los Angeles this weekend. Latrisha Jordan led the Fresno State competitors with a record-breaking, postseason qualifying performance in the 400-meter hurdles, while throwers Kayla Xavier and Peter Krumeich continued to improve their NCAA Regional qualifying marks.
"We did very well across the board," said head coach Scott Winsor. "Latrisha ran really well, and she's just going to get better and better."
Jordan made a statement for the Bulldogs on the track, winning the 400 hurdles with a record-breaking performance. The freshman dominated the quarter mile hurdles, timing in at 58.88 seconds to win the event, qualify for the NCAA Regional and set a new Fresno State record.
Tieria Hilliard also found success in the one-lap events. The sophomore finished third in the 400, clocking a 56.63 for third. In the 100 hurdles, senior Vanessa Sautebin finished among the Top 10 competitors. Sautebin, Hiliard, and Jordan combined with Janev Morris in the 4x400 relay to take second among the 13 teams competing. The four crossed at 3:43.48.
Roxanne Sellick led the distance contingent for Fresno State. Sellick put in a stellar 3,000 performance, timing in at 9:47.45.
"Roxanne ran very well," said Winsor. "She really is leading the distance team to their goals."
On the throwing side, Kayla Xavier solidified her place in the record books, becoming just the third Bulldog in history to throw over 50 feet in the shot put. Xavier's toss of 50-5-25 (15.37) bettered her earlier NCAA Regional qualification mark and personal best by more than two feet, earning her second place on the weekend.
"Kayla just keeps climbing the ladder," said Winsor. "She's been very consistent. She's learning everyday. She is really doing well."
Grace Wiesmann also earned a second place finish over the weekend. Wiesmann, a senior, continued her success in the hammer throw with a toss of 176-2 (53.70m). Xavier was three places back of her teammate, taking fifth in the hammer, with Sharon Ayala just behind in sixth.
Cara Montes led the jumping corps, winning her section of the pole vault with an NCAA Regional qualifying clearance of 12-7.50 (3.85m). Erica Embry earned a Top 10 finish in the long jump to round out the women's best finishes. On the men's side,
Krumeich, the former baseball player, continued to have dramatic performances in the javelin. Krumeich ousting his NCAA Regional qualifying mark with a new personal-best Saturday, sailing the javelin 211-2 (64.36m) for second place.
"Peter didn't even throw a javelin until earlier this fall," said Winsor. "So we really don't even know his potential yet. But he's doing very, very well."
In the hammer throw, Tim Greene put up another NCAA Regional qualifying mark to take fifth in his division. Sophomore Raul Gonzalez finished second with a toss of 179-7 (54.74m) in the other section and put in a Top 10 throw in the discus. Justin Cutler added another Top 10 finish for the Bulldogs, throwing over 50 feet in the shot put.
In the jumps, the pole vault was the event to watch with the `Dogs snagging a first, third and fourth-place finish in the two sections of the pole vault. Taylor Franzman equaled his personal best with a mark of 15-7 (4.75) to win his section. Lyle Quillen beat his career-best, clearing 16-0.75 (4.90m), for third. Deal finished with a 15-1(4.60m) clearance, earning him for fourth.
"The vaulters had an unbelieveable day," said Winsor. "Everyone vaulted very well with a lot of career marks. We're really going to see a lot of improvement from here."
Erik Fossen claimed two Top 10 finishes of his own. The senior all-around jumper put in solid performances in both the triple and long jumps.
Frank Sanders led the distance team, bringing home bronze in the 1500, clocking a 3:51.79.
"The distance team is right on target for their goals," said Winsor. "This was a great meet for them, especially for Frank. He ran a great race."
In closest event of the day, the men's 400 hurdles, Val-Pierre Dai'Re finished in fourth, by one hundredth of a second, timing a 53.62. Dai'Re also finished among the Top 10 in the 110 hurdles with a 15.23.
"Val-Pierre is working very hard to get back to where he was last year," said Winsor.
Next week will be a busy one for the Bulldogs with three meets in four days. The California Multi's in Sacramento, Calif. begin Wednesday and run through Thursday before the team separates with half the team heading north to the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif., while the other half travels south to the Cal-Nevada Championships in Los Angeles.
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