Fresno State Athletics
Friday, February 19
USAF Academy, CO
Fresno State
at
Air Force Collegiate Open
'Dogs open season with trio of wins at Air Force Collegiate Open
2/19/2021 10:05:00 PM | Track & Field
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – After nearly a year away from competition, a group of Fresno State's women's track and field team returned to competition at Friday's Air Force Collegiate Open at the Cadet Field House. The Bulldogs grabbed three top honors during the day with wins coming from Breanna Covington and Amelia DiPaola before the 4x4 relay team closed out the meet with an exclamation point.
For Covington, the senior strung together three attempts in the triple jump that surpassed her previous best which ranked fifth in program history. Passing her previous record of 12.21m/40-0.75 on her second attempt with a jump of 12.40m/40-8.25, she just missed that mark two jumps later (12.39m/40-7.75). On her final attempt, Covington registered of mark of 12.43m/40-9 which moves her just behind fourth on the school's all-time list.
Finishing behind Covington in second was teammate Haley Abirached. While Arbiched did not compete for the Bulldogs a year ago after transferring for the spring semester, she debuted for the 'Dogs with a jump of 12.27m/40-3.25, a mark that would have passed Covington if not for the senior's performance on Friday.
While the jumpers were making waves, Amelia DiPaola was busy winning the first indoor event of her young career, landing a mark of 13.34m/43-9.25 on her third attempt to narrowly edge out Air Force's Addyson Smith finished the competition with a toss of 13.33m/43-9 on her final attempt. DiPaola also matched Smith's best mark in the final round. Finishing third was freshman was freshman Cierra Jackson at 12.82m/42-0.75.
While the Bulldog sprint crew saw three of their athletes reach the finals in the 60 meters, two of them, Ceonna Pipion and Brianna Sproles joined Deja Hudson and Nakyia Buckner at the end of the meet for the 4x4 relay. The four clocked a 3:53.57 to top teams from Air Force, Cal and Colorado.
Quotes
Head Coach Jason Drake
On getting back into competition…
"It felt good for our team to get back out on the track and compete. Overall, our entire team had great marks for coming out of our COVID hibernation."
On Breanna Covington's performance…
"Bre Covington put on a show with her best series of her career, and is close to moving up another spot on our indoor best list. Bre, along with Haley Abirached and Jodeci Weems in the triple jump all set personal records."
On the sprints…
"The sprint crew got off to a wonderful start with three qualifying for the finals of the 60. Then winning the 4x4 was the best way to finish off a meet!"
On the cancellation of Saturday's meet at Fresno Pacific…
"We will just have to wait a couple more weeks to get the men and the outdoor season going. There will be challenges along the way, but we are excited for every opportunity we get and will stay positive."
Up Next
With the cancellation of tomorrow's FPU Sunbird Invitational, Fresno State's women will next be on the track at the Championships at the Peak on Feb. 26-27.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FS_TracknField
Instagram: fresnostate_tracknfield
For Covington, the senior strung together three attempts in the triple jump that surpassed her previous best which ranked fifth in program history. Passing her previous record of 12.21m/40-0.75 on her second attempt with a jump of 12.40m/40-8.25, she just missed that mark two jumps later (12.39m/40-7.75). On her final attempt, Covington registered of mark of 12.43m/40-9 which moves her just behind fourth on the school's all-time list.
Finishing behind Covington in second was teammate Haley Abirached. While Arbiched did not compete for the Bulldogs a year ago after transferring for the spring semester, she debuted for the 'Dogs with a jump of 12.27m/40-3.25, a mark that would have passed Covington if not for the senior's performance on Friday.
While the jumpers were making waves, Amelia DiPaola was busy winning the first indoor event of her young career, landing a mark of 13.34m/43-9.25 on her third attempt to narrowly edge out Air Force's Addyson Smith finished the competition with a toss of 13.33m/43-9 on her final attempt. DiPaola also matched Smith's best mark in the final round. Finishing third was freshman was freshman Cierra Jackson at 12.82m/42-0.75.
While the Bulldog sprint crew saw three of their athletes reach the finals in the 60 meters, two of them, Ceonna Pipion and Brianna Sproles joined Deja Hudson and Nakyia Buckner at the end of the meet for the 4x4 relay. The four clocked a 3:53.57 to top teams from Air Force, Cal and Colorado.
Quotes
Head Coach Jason Drake
On getting back into competition…
"It felt good for our team to get back out on the track and compete. Overall, our entire team had great marks for coming out of our COVID hibernation."
On Breanna Covington's performance…
"Bre Covington put on a show with her best series of her career, and is close to moving up another spot on our indoor best list. Bre, along with Haley Abirached and Jodeci Weems in the triple jump all set personal records."
On the sprints…
"The sprint crew got off to a wonderful start with three qualifying for the finals of the 60. Then winning the 4x4 was the best way to finish off a meet!"
On the cancellation of Saturday's meet at Fresno Pacific…
"We will just have to wait a couple more weeks to get the men and the outdoor season going. There will be challenges along the way, but we are excited for every opportunity we get and will stay positive."
Up Next
With the cancellation of tomorrow's FPU Sunbird Invitational, Fresno State's women will next be on the track at the Championships at the Peak on Feb. 26-27.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FS_TracknField
Instagram: fresnostate_tracknfield
Players Mentioned
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Jumps
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