Pocatello, ID - The Idaho State Track and Field teams returned to the friendly confines of the ICCU Dome for the Stacy Dragila Open.
The day began with the Men's Weight Throw, and so did the highlights.
On his first throw of the day, Axel Tirado-Sanchez launched the weight a staggering 18.91m (62'00.5") to not only clinch first place but set a new school record, topping the previous mark by over 6". The junior rose from third place to second at the Snake River Open, and now stands alone at the top. Just behind Tirado-Sanchez in the standings was senior Sergio Garcia-Jimenez, who recorded a 17.17m (56'04.00").
Sarah Wilensky and Kaitlyn Ward each had strong performances to finish first and second, respectively, on the women's side. Wilensky notched an 18.29m (60'00.25") and Ward finished with 16.10m (52'10.00") to round out a strong day for the throwers.
The Bengals also had a standout performance on the track, with Khutsisa Rampete finishing with a time of 6.86 seconds in the 60m to move up to fifth place in school history, and Zachary Cox winning both heats of the 60mH with a best time of 7.99. In the same race, Alex Conner also entered the ISU Top-10 with a time of 8.32 to tie for 8th-fastest in school history.
Niklas Uth and Braxton Hurst ran neck-and-neck in the 400m for first and second, as the pair of sophomores recorded times of 49.76 and 49.80, respectively. Junior Cade Smith was the men's top finisher in the 3000m and the mile, with top 4 finishes in each.
On the women's side, Kyndal Martin had another standout day and would have set a school record in the 60mH had she not already done so two weeks prior. Martin finished with a time of 8.43, tying the all-time record she set in the Snake River Open. Martin also finished with a 24.82 in the 200m to tie for 8th-fastest at ISU.
Just behind Martin in the 60mH was freshman Josie Settle, who finished with a time of 8.81 to tie for 9th in school history. Settle also finished with a final mark of 19'00.5" in the long jump to tie for fifth-best, improving upon her previous PR from the Snake River Open which had her tied for tenth. Tenleigh Smith was the top finisher for the Bengals in the 400m, being clocked at 57.29, the only sub-minute time of the day.
Senior Madi Kenyon ran to a third-place finish in the mile, and sophomore Brielle Davis recorded a pole vault of 3.69m (12'01.25") to finish in first place for the third time in as many meets this year. Presley Timmons also cruised to a victory in the 800m, with a time of 2:10.64 to place her at third-fastest in school history.
The day concluded with the 4x400m relays, where the team of Tenleigh Smith. Josie Settle, Presley Timmons, and Kyndal Martin took home the gold, being clocked at 3:51.46, 10th-fastest in ISU history.
After closing out a strong January, The Bengals are back at it Feb 1-3 in Spokane, WA, competing in the Riverfront Invitational at The Podium
