The WAC Indoor Championship is less than three weeks away, and the Idaho track and field program took to the Kibbie Dome Friday and Saturday with something to prove.
The Vandals competed against more than 1,200 athletes from more than 10 schools and organizations in a two-day event: Friday’s Vandal Indoor and Saturday’s Idaho Indoor Open.
Friday’s invitation-only event featured athletes
who posted the best times and scores.
“It was a great positive kind of mentality that we took out of the meet,” runner Barry Britt said. “Everybody ran really well across the board in the jumps and throws and sprints.”
Britt came away with first place and a conference-leading time in the men’s mile, which was one of six events Idaho won Friday. “I was excited to get out and race in front of our home crowd. Going in we just wanted to compete for the win the best we could. We did that and it felt good,” Britt said.
Other Vandals of note at the meet included Idaho alumna Angela Whyte who put up the best time in the women’s 60 meter hurdles. The two-time Olympian’s 8.02 time tied the No. 2 in the nation and is No. 4 in the world this season.
Junior Liga Velvere broke a school record that stood for six years in the women’s 800 meter with a time of 2:07.63. The time is also No. 17 in the NCAA this season in that event.
Kristine Leonard set a career best mark with her winning 158-3 in discus.
“I was having a good day staying over the middle and staying patient and getting the discus up,” Leonard said. “I didn’t actually realize it was a personal record until they read off the mark. I just thought it was just a better throw than the other ones.”
More than 35 Vandals competed Friday, which was the first meet in the Dome since 2010.
“It was kind of comfortable to look around and see that many Idaho jerseys in all the events,” Britt said. “It felt good, especially when I tow the line with my teammates it just feels easier to know you have a teammate on the line with you.”
Saturday’s Idaho Indoor Open was open to collegiate and high school competitors throughout the Northwest.
Idaho senior Jeremy Klas won the men’s pole vault by clearing 17-5.5. Senior Gabby Midles took first in the women’s 20-pound weight throw with a season-best throw of 56-10.75, capping off a 1-2-3 Vandal sweep of the event.
Most of the Vandals that competed Friday did not compete Saturday.
The Vandals head west to the University of Washington to compete in the Husky Classic before coming back home the following week for the Vandal Collegiate.
The team has its sights set on continuing to prepare for the WAC Championships.
“Everyone is ready to go,” Leonard said. “I feel like we have
a really good chance at the WAC
this year because of the dynamic of our team.”