Jeremy Klas — track and field
Klas managed to break an Idaho record, which he previously held, in the men’s pole vault Saturday. Klas cleared 17-9.75 (5.43 m), good enough to tie second overall in the event and earn the top collegiate finish. The jump is No. 4 in the NCAA this year.
“That’s about as close as you’re going to get to being an auto qualifier. He had some great attempts at 5.53 meters (18-1.75), so I think it’s just a matter of time before he breaks through the 18-foot barrier,” said Phipps. Hannah Kiser — track and field
In an extremely competitive field at the UW Open this weekend in Seattle, the sophomore posted a school record and NCAA-qualifying time in the 3,000-meter race. Kiser’s 9:07.23 finishing time sends her to the NCAA Indoor Championships for the first time. Her time is the fastest in the WAC and No. 4 in the nation.
“For her to get an NCAA auto time running that easily makes me feel like she can clearly be a sub-nine-minute 3k runner indoors, which would put her at an elite level all-time in the NCAA,” coach Wayne Phipps said.
Kyle Barone — men’s basketball
Idaho’s junior center capped off an outstanding week with WAC Player of the Week honors. Barone earned his seventh and eighth double-doubles of the season and helped Idaho go 3-3 against Seattle, New Mexico State and La. Tech. Coach Don Verlin praised Barone’s dominance.
“I thought he (Barone) was very efficient down there tonight (La. Tech), as well as the New Mexico State game,” Verlin said. “I though he rebounded with extreme authority. If he’s not WAC Player of the Week this week, it’s a crying shame because he’s played with a lot of intensity.”