Jose Bendeck — men’s tennis
Jose Bendeck
The men’s tennis team started 2014 by going 2-0 over the weekend, with wins against Eastern Washington and Seattle U.
In the matches, one player in particular stood out for the Vandals. Senior Jose Bendeck was able to go 4-0 combined in singles and doubles play. Bendeck and Cristobal Ramos Salazar won 6-2 at No. 1 doubles in the first match against Seattle U, then later Bendeck won at the No. 2 singles position in the same match. Later in the afternoon, Bendeck went to the No. 1 singles position and was able to get a straight-set win, while also winning his doubles match with Salazar against Eastern Washington.
“I was very impressed with Jose,” Beaman said. “He continues to have a great senior year going 4-0 combined in singles and doubles.”
The Vandals return to the court with a trip to Oregon to face Fresno State on Saturday in Eugene, and Portland State on Sunday in Portland.
Jesse Villines — men’s track and field
Jesse Villines
The Idaho track and field team competed in two meets at home with the Idaho Collegiate on Friday and the Idaho Open Saturday. Usually track and field athletes improve as the season goes on, but Jesse Villines already hit several career-bests over the weekend for Idaho. The junior from Soda Springs, Idaho, started Friday with a career-best mark in the 400-meter dash (48.79 seconds) placing second. On Saturday, he set career-best times in the 60 (7.01) and the 200 (21.78). Villines won both races.
“Jesse had a great day today, and overall a great weekend,” Idaho coach Wayne Phipps said. “He ran seven races in two days and hit career-bests in everything.”
Marquita Palmer — women’s track and field
Marquita Palmer
The Idaho women’s track and field team also featured several career-best marks over the weekend. Marquita Palmer, a sophomore from Weiser, Idaho, stood out after she ran a career-best time in the 800-meter run (2 minutes,13.44 seconds) en route to a victory in the Idaho Open.
“Marquita had a great run yesterday to win the mile, and today another incredible race,” Phipps said. “I think getting her into a field in either the 800- or mile that goes out a little faster and getting some better competition will help drop some of those times even more.”
Next up for the Vandals is the Cougar Indoor on Friday and Saturday hosted by Washington State.