Alyssa Charlston — women’s basketball
Idaho’s junior forward was up to the road challenge that presented itself to the Vandal women’s team this week, and Charlston’s two double-doubles were vital to two road wins.
The Vandals move one game above .500 in the conference and host longtime conference powerhouse La. Tech Thursday, then Texas-Arlington Saturday. In Denver Thursday, Charlston helped lead Idaho’s late comeback with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Both were game highs. In Las Cruces Saturday, Charlston punished the Aggies with another double-double, this time coming from 11 boards and 13 points. She currently ranks within the WAC’s top 10 for both scoring and rebounding. Charlston now has double-doubles in three of her five conference games this season.
Lauren Schaffer — indoor track and field
It seems as though Vandal track and field dominance won’t fade anytime soon. Schaffer was the first example of that during this weekend’s WSU Open in Pullman. The meet marked the beginning of the indoor track and field season, and Schaffer, whose signature event is the 800 meter race, competed in the 600 meter race, where she finished first in a personal-best and school-best time. Schaffer finished in 1:34.35, which converts to 1:33.19 with track dimension adjustments. The previous record of 1:33.9 was set in 1982 by Allison Falkenberg-Ryan. “That was a real solid race for Lauren,” Idaho director of track and field/cross country Wayne Phipps said. “I think this is the most fit she’s ever been coming out of Christmas break, so I’m really excited to see what Lauren can do this season.”
Ben Ayesu-Attah/Andrew Bloom- indoor track and field
The teammates met up in the 400-meter dash, which proved one of the day’s most exciting events, though Ayesu-Attah came out victorious by the slimmest of margins. Ayesu-Attah finished .05 seconds ahead of fellow sophomore Bloom and beat his meet record that he set a year ago. The victor Ayesu-Attah, finished the race in 48.69, while Bloom trailed behind with a time of 48.74. Both times were better than Ayesu-Attah’s record of 49.75, which was set a year ago.
WSU Open in Pullman. The meet marked the beginning of the indoor track and field season, and Schaffer, whose signature event is the 800- meter race, competed in the 600-meter race, where she finished first in a personal-best and school-best time. Schaffer finished in 1:34.35, which converts to 1:33.19 with track dimension adjustments. The previous record of 1:33.9 was set in 1982 by Allison Falkenberg-Ryan. “That was a real solid race for Lauren,” Idaho director of track and field/cross country Wayne Phipps said. “I think this is the most fit she’s ever been coming out of Christmas break, so I’m really excited to see what Lauren can do this season.”