POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State track and field concluded the 2023 Big Sky Conference Indoor Championship Meet this weekend. We saw many amazing performances, records broken and championships won.
Director of Track and Field and XC Hillary Merkley helped break down the Bengal's performance at the conclusion of the meet.
"I was really proud of how this group of people carried themselves and how they managed a challenging indoor season. Challenges are just always going to be a part of sport in whatever form they come. That's the beauty of it and what makes it special and inspiring. I'm not inspired by people who don't have any challenges. We had some really great performances this indoor from leaders on this team that are doing the work to get better and make others around them better. They are impressive. As is always the case there are a few areas we as individuals and as a team showed a little of our humanness and we have things we can do better and want to do better to be stronger people and stronger competitors in the Big Sky.
We are looking forward to the outdoor season!"
The Bengal throwers had a stand-out meet this weekend in Moscow.
Zack Ramos and Destinee Rose-Haas both won their events with new school records and Big Sky Conference all-time top-10 marks!
Rose-Haas led the weight throw from the start and ended the meet with a winning throw of 20.82m (68-3.75) all-time best in ISU history and the 2nd best all-time in the Big Sky!
For her efforts, at the conclusion of the meet, Rose-Haas was named the Women's Outstanding Performer.
"Destinee also brought home the Most Outstanding Performer Award! A great ending to her indoor career to finish on top. She is the epitome of grace and character and a fierce consistent competitor. "4
Zack Ramos continued to grow this weekend.
"Ramos improved almost every week, continued Merkley. "I always say progress is hardly ever a constant. We have ups and some downs as we get better but he was out to prove me wrong."
Zack's winning throw of 18.72m (61-5) In the shot put eclipsed his previous school record and won him the gold. The throw also ranks him 7th all-time in the Big Sky Record book!
Axel Tirado Sanchez came out and scored valuable points for ISU taking fourth in the shot put with a personal best throw of 17.28m (56-8.5) 6th all-time in the ISU top-10 record book!
Kylee Dimick brought home a pair of all-conference awards and finished the meet as the top scorer for the Orange and Black. Over the three days of the conference meet, Dimick competed strong in multiple events.
Starting in the pentathlon, she set new PRs in the 60mH and the 800M while also winning the high jump to finish second with a new personal best score of 3619 points. 11th all-time in ISU history!
Then, in the open high jump, Dimick battled it out with the other top jumpers from the conference. After clearing 1.73m (5-8) on her first attempt, she solidified her runner-up spot in the event, bringing home her second medal of the meet.
Not to give up after just six events, Dimick then ran a pivotal spot on the Bengal's' 4x400 team earning another point for ISU.
"Kapri Orton also had a great day in the high jump and finished her indoor season strong!" Said Merkley.
The men's high jump squad brought home a pair of medals.
" Mike Shulikov and Owen Mitchell were all-conference in the men's high jump taking 2nd and 3rd and they are hungry for more," continued Merkley
Michael Shulikov and Owen Mitchell battled it out with the conference but the final four were from Idaho state and Idaho and the competition was fierce. Mitchell beat out the Idaho Jumper for the Bronze and after a back-and-forth battle, Mike Shulikov came up just short taking the silver.
After showing growth all season, running faster and faster, Kyndal Martin brought it to the stage at the championship meet.
Kyndal finished all-conference in the 60mH, running the event in 8.53 seconds, just a hair short of the all-time school record held by Cassie Merkley.
When asked about Kyndal's performance at her ISU Sports Hall of Fame Induction press conference. Cassie Merkley wished Kyndal good luck and remarked that "records are meant to be broken and its extra sweet that my sister is the one building up this program, if it's not today it will happen."
Zach Cox was able to make his comeback in the 60mH at this weekend's championship.
"Zach Cox battled some setbacks all season and was still able to sneak into finals," remarked Merkley. The Bengal finished fifth running 8.09 seconds.
After a tough battle to make the finals, Presley Timmons came through, to score in Saturday's final with a time of 2:13.01.
The Bengal pole vaulters contributed to the team this weekend, scoring eight points on the women's side.
Cade Ricks had a strong performance in the men's pole vault he also contributes when not competing.
"Cade Ricks rallies our team and today he had a PR and came through in the men's pole vault!" Continued Merkley.
His PR vault of 4.85m (15-11) moved him up to sixth, scoring needed points for the Bengals.
The Bengals come away from the Indoor Championships hungry for the outdoor season starting at the end of March.
Mark your calendars, on April, 28-29 the Bengals are back home at Davis field for the 2023 Bengal Invitational where they will showcase their talents for the Bengal faithful.
Follow along on isubengals.com and social media for updates and accomplishments from the team as they happen.
Final Team Scores
Men's
RANK TEAM SCORE
1 Northern Arizona 182.5
2 Idaho 113
3 Montana State 97
4 Eastern Washington 70
5 Weber State 56.5
6 Northern Colorado 55
7 Idaho State 41
8 Montana 34
9 Sacramento St. 11
Women's
RANK TEAM SCORE
1 Northern Arizona 200.5
2 Montana State 125
3 Idaho 70.5
4 Sacramento St. 60.5
5 Weber State 55
6 Idaho State 53.5
7 Eastern Washington 34
8 Montana 28
9 Northern Colorado 27
10 Portland State 8
