Redshirt freshman Bryce Ailshie and sophomore Ricky Faure highlighted the UW track and field teams good performance on the final day of the Don Kirby Invitational at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Feb. 11.
The middle distance runners shined in the 800 meters, with Ailshie taking second with an adjusted time of 1:50.50, which was a personal best. Faure took fourth, with an adjusted time of 1:50.90, which is a season best.
“I think Bryce is racing confidently right now,” head coach Bryan Berryhill said following the Pokes’ trip. “We’re definitely still training hard at this point. I think we’ll see some big things from Bryce and Ricky in two weeks.”
Sophomore sprinter Jerayah Davis added a fifth place finish in the 60 meters against an incredible field, including national leader Hannah Cunliffe, 2016 Olympian Deajah Stevens and Makenzie Dunmore, all from Oregon. Davis won her semifinal heat with a time of 7.28 seconds while posting a time of 7.35 in the final.
Senior Jordan Charles saw nationally ranked competition for the first time this season, placing fifth in the 60 meter hurdles with a time of 7.97 seconds after posting 7.99 in the semifinal heat, which was good enough for second place and qualification for the final. Charles also ran a 22.19 in the 200-meter competition, which was good for 41st in the prelims.
Junior Lauren Hamilton placed third overall and second among collegiate competitors in the women’s mile, finishing with an adjusted time of 4:47.62. Senior Cassidy Meade placed fourth in the 800 meters with an adjusted time of 2:12.28. Junior Kerry White placed seventh with an adjusted time of 2:13.44.
In the men’s triple jump, redshirt senior Scott Carter placed eighth with a mark of 50 feet, 2 inches. On Feb. 10, sophomore Ja’la Henderson leapt 19 feet, 6.25 inches, which was good for top-10 overall and second among Mountain West competitors.
“There were a lot of solid performances today,” Berryhill said. “I thought the kids put a lot of effort and energy into it. Once we get them rested and ready in two weeks, I think you’ll see some pretty good improvements.”
The Pokes will compete next at the Rocky Mountain Classic on Feb. 17 in Laramie at the War Memorial Fieldhouse. Wyoming will then return to the Albuquerque Convention Center for the 2017 Mountain West Indoor Championships from Feb 23-25.
