Colorado Starts Well At Air Force Invitational

Friday, January 17

Colorado Springs, Colo.

All Day

Colorado

Day 2

Photo by: Tony Harman

January 17, 2020 | Track and Field

Results

By: Shaun Wicen, Assistant SID

USAFA – The University of Colorado had a much smaller than anticipated meet day at their first day of competition in the 2020 Air Force Invitational as rounds of qualifying were eliminated from all sprinting and hurdling events except for the men's 60-meter dash.

The Buffs were expected to run qualifying races today to move to 16 contenders in numerous events but instead were pushed straight to prelims where only the top-eight advances in each event. The women's sprint squad faired well with Dani Johnson and Tamia Badal advancing in the 200 at 25.03 and 25.71 seconds, respectfully. Also on the women's side, Jaida Drame advanced in the 400-meter dash with the fourth-best time of 59.22 seconds.

On the men's side of the sprints, Garrett Nelson and Kendal Smith finished 11^th and 12^th, separated by just a hundredth of a second with Nelson edging his teammate with a time of 22.23 seconds. Nathan Hoy finished 16^th at 22.51 seconds and Kellen Monestime was 20^th at 22.59 seconds.

The women's long jump was another strongly contested event with freshman Avery McMullen taking third with a jump of 5.84 meters (19-2) while Valerie Welch placed sixth (5.72m | 18-9.25) and Cheyenne Cheshier placed 12^th (5.14m (16-10.5). The men had Davis Butte and Wyatt Rhoads jump with Butte placing 15^th (6.29m | 20-7.75) and Rhoads in 17^th (6.23m | 20-5.25).

Also competing today was the men and women in the weight throw. Tyler Sconce put together a second-straight personal best day with a toss of 17.32 meters (56-10) to place third overall. Teammates Clayton Castro and Lars Atkinson placed eighth and ninth, respectfully, with tosses of 14.81 meters (48-7.25) and 14.51 meters (47-7.25).

The freshmen quartet of throwers in the women's weight throw didn't fair as well but Gya'ni Sami continued to lead with a toss of 15.20 meters (49-10.5) with teammates Jane Powers at 14.87m (48-9.5), Elena Opp at 13.81m (45-3.75) and Lauren Whyrick at 12.49m (40-11.75).

Action ramps up tomorrow with the continuation of the sprints and the addition of numerous field events and hurdles.

RESULTS
Men's 200 Prelims: 1. Michael Bluth (BYU) 21.52; 11. Garrett Nelson (COLO) 22.23; 12. Kendal Smith (COLO) 22.24; 16. Nathan Hoy (COLO) 22.51; 20. Kellen Monestime (COLO) 22.59
Men's Long Jump: 1. Isa Bynum (CSU) 7.34m (24-1); 15. Davis Butte (COLO) 6.29m (20-7.75); 17. Wyatt Rhoads (COLO) 6.23m (20-5.25)
Men's Weight Throw: 1. Kirk Unland (WYO) 19.09, (62-7.75); 3. Tyler Sconce (COLO) 17.32m (56-10); 8. Clayton Castro (COLO) 14.81m (48-7.25); 9. Lars Atkinson (COLO) 14.51m (47-7.25)

Women's 200 Prelims: 1. Jaslyn Gardner (BYU) 24.83; 3. Dani Johnson (COLO) 25.03; 8. Tamia Badal (COLO) 25.71
Women's 400 Prelims: 1. Lauren Gale (UNAT) 55.43; 4. Jaida Drame (COLO) 59.22
Women's Long Jump: 1. Shayla Howell (WYO) 6.07m (19-11); 3. Avery McMullen (COLO) 5.84m (19-2); 6. Valerie Welch (COLO) 5.72m (18-9.25); 12. Cheyenne Cheshier (COLO) 5.14m (16-10.5)
Women's Weight Throw: 1. Ashton Hallsted (UNAT) 19.45m (63-9.75); 9. Gya'ni Sami (COLO) 15.20m (49-10.5); 12. Jane Powers (COLO) 14.87m (48-9.5); 16. Elena Opp (COLO) 13.81m (45-3.75); 19. Lauren Whyrick (COLO) 12.49m (40-11.75)