LONG BEACH, Calif. – After a packed weekend of competing around California, the Vandals found success in Long Beach at the Pacific Coast Invitational this past Thursday, and the Beach Invitational on Friday and Saturday.
Big time Idaho sophomore,
Keenan Kuntz, ran personal bests in both the 100m and 200m sprints. Not only did he finish bronze and silver at the Pacific Coast Invitational, but he slid into the second spot in school history for both events. Kuntz ran a 10.18 in the 100m and a 20.58 in the 200m. For the women,
Jana Willems also finished top ten in the 100m, breaking Idaho's record all together with a time of 11.56. Additionally, graduate student
Sydnie Zywina took home gold for the Vandals after tying for first in the triple jump. Shortly after, Francesca Cuccu tied for second in the high jump.
Moving onto the Beach Invitational, Ashley Hollenbeck Willems followed Kuntz's ways and also made school history in the 100m and 200m sprints. She ran a time of 11.58 in the 100m, placing her third in the school record books and second at the meet. She later ran a 23.79 in the 200m, sliding her into second for Idaho's history. On the jumps side, Zywina had another strong meet, finishing third in long jump and second in triple jump. For the men,
James Hodgson earned silver for Idaho in the 1500m race. The men's 4x400m relay team also ran their best time of 3:16.49 with freshmen
Ryan LeClair and
Logan Peterson, sophomore
Myron Rethymniotakis, and senior
Joe Reiber.
Aside from the big victories at Long Beach, a handful of Vandals split up to race in other cities. At the Bryan Clay Invite in Azusa, California,
Constanze Paoli ran her best time of 9:58.03 in the women's 3000m Steeplechase Invite. This also earned her a top ten finish that Thursday evening.
Moving slightly east,
Lydia Nance placed fourth in the women's 800m sprint at the University of La Verne Leo Invitational. Another note from this meet was Hodgson's 1500m sixth place run the day before his Long Beach silver medal.
Up Next
Idaho Track and Field will find their way to Pullman, Washington for the Cougar Classic on April 24 and 25.
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