Qualifiers pile up for WSU track team

POCATELLO, Idaho -- Both the Weber State men's and women's indoor track and field teams made improvements and picked up more conference qualifiers this weekend at the Mountain State Games. The two teams combined for nine new qualifiers as they prepare for the Big Sky Championships at the end of the month.

The Weber State women had seven new conference qualifying marks and had 20 seasonal bests in the meet. Amber Henry continued her strong season by winning the 800 meters with a time of 2:08.03. That time ranks as the fifth fastest indoor time in Weber State history.

Also qualifying for the conference meet was Kristin Billings in the 60 meters who posted a time of 7.60, a career-best time. Amanda Alston also qualified in the 60 meters with a time of 25.11, finishing third. Billings also had a career best time of 24.97 to finish second in the 200 meters and ran a leg in the 4X400 meter relay. The Wildcats posted a time of 3:48.12 in the relay, which is now the best in the conference this season.

Weber State earned four qualifying marks in the 3,000 meters. Laken Hintze was the top collegiate finisher in the event with a time of 9:56.19. Suzie Sorenson, Kayla Blackford, and Loren Storey all qualified in the event.

Jenna Deelstra also reached the mark in the 5,000 meters as she posted a time of 18:06.72 to finish second in the event.

In the field events Elisa Isakson posted a mark of 11-03.75, which ranks as the second best in school history.

"We had a very, very good meet," said WSU head coach Jim Blaisdell. "Our distance runners are continuing from the strong cross country season and had a good meet. We got more conference qualifiers and improved where we needed to."

On the men's side the Wildcats had 17 seasonal bests and had two new qualifiers for the conference meet. Braden Perry qualified in the 3,000 meters with a time of 8:39.23 and Ryan Avery qualified in the long jump. Avery won the event with a mark of 23-00.75, which now ranks as the third best in the conference this season.

Another strong performance for the Wildcats came from Dustin Durfee who won the 400 meter invitational with a time of 49.05. Zach Parry was the top finisher in the weight throw Weber State also won the 4X400 meter relay.

"We had a good weekend and made some nice improvements," WSU head coach Dan Walker said. "We picked up some new qualifiers and also had several more athletes that qualified in a second event. We are coming along well and feel like we are improving as we prepare for the conference meet."