Fresno State
Sun Angel Track Classic
Bulldogs Shine Despite Wind, Rain
4/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
April 12, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - Arizona and the 30th Sun Angel Classic highlighted some of the best of track and field, despite inclement wind and rain in the Tempe desert.
Val-Pierre Dai'Re, Peter Krumeich, Sharon Ayala and Latrisha Jordan all met NCAA Regional qualifying marks at the meet featuring more than 40 collegiate programs from across the nation.
Dai'Re found success in both hurdle events on the day. The junior topped the competition in the 400 hurdles, attaining another NCAA Regional mark, with a 51.95. Also finishing in top form in the quarter-mile hurdles was Kendrick Young. Young finished in fifth in the event with a 52.84.
"The intermediate (400) hurdlers took the brunt of the weather," said Winsor. "It was raining pretty hard and got cold quickly. Despite the weather, the 400 hurdlers put in a great showing. It was great to see Val and Kendrick compete so well in those conditions."
In the 110 hurdles, Dai'Re tied his season-best 14.38 for seventh.
In the sprints, Daryl Miller ran a personal-best in the 400, clocking a 47.83 for fourth. The senior sprinter bettered his career-best by more than .40 seconds. Durran Moore picked up seventh in the 200, timing a 21.84.
"The sprinters had a good day," explained Winsor. "The cold and the rain had an effect on the whole meet and the sprinters still had some good performances."
Frank Sanders rounded out the men's top performances on the track with a 3:48.20 in the 1,500 to take eighth in his division of the race.
DeAnte Brown took the lead on the field, marking a career-best in the long jump. Brown leapt for 23-5.25 (7.14m) in the event to take third. Earlier in the day, the redshirt senior picked up ninth in the triple jump 48-6.75 (14.80m).
Peter Krumeich led the men's throwers with a regional qualifying toss in the javelin. Krumeich marked a 202-7 (61.74m) for sixth on his first throw of the day.
"Peter threw pretty well," said Winsor. "It's not his top mark, but you have to consider that he was always throwing into the wind. It's impressive that he threw over 200 feet facing a cross-wind or head-wind on each throw."
Tim Greene added to the Bulldog's showing in the throws, picking up eighth place in the discus, throwing a 154-6 (47.09m).
In the premiere division of the 400 hurdles, Latrisha Jordan continued to prove she can hang with the best. The freshman finished third with another regional-qualifying mark of 59.11.
"Latrisha ran really well," said Winsor. "These are some of the best 400 hurdlers in the nation and no one had their best times. But to see Latrisha really get out there and compete was impressive."
The women's 4x400 relay team of Vanessa Sautebin, Tiera Hilliard, Janev Morris and Jordan, finished the meet on a high note, picking up top honors in the team's final event of the meet. The foursome timed a season-best 3:46.43, beating the second-place team of Northern Iowa by nearly two seconds.
In the distance events, Roxanne Sellick ran a career-best 4:29.27 in the 1,500.
"Roxanne is gaining confidence," said Winsor. "Once she pushes herself into the lead pack, instead of dropping back, she will run a lot faster. She's finishing really strong and will be able to hang with the leaders."
Ayala highlighted the women's appearance at the meet with another NCAA Regional qualifying mark in her favorite event, the hammer. The senior thrower tossed a 204-0 (62.18m) in the Invitational Division. The senior thrower earned a sixth place finish overall and second among collegiate competitors.
Despite the wind, Kayla Xavier threw a career-best in the discus, marking a 154-1 (46.97m). Xavier, competing in the premiere division of the shot put, tossed a 46-6.25 (14.18m) to take ninth.
Cara Montes cleared 12-1.50 (3.70m) to take fifth in her division of the pole vault.
"It was a worthwhile meet - definitely worth our while," said Winsor. "This was a really high caliber meet and it helps us prepare for conference and regionals."
The Bulldogs travel to the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif., April 16-18.
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Players Mentioned
