Track Grabs Wins despite Windy Conditions
4/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Gonzaga women's and men's track programs had solid performances on the second day of the Northwest Scoring Clash at Spokane Falls Community College Saturday.
Gonzaga dominated the women's 1,500 meters, led by a first place finish by Maggie Jones. The junior crossed the line at 4:38.01. Amelia Evans and Shelby Mills followed closely behind in third and fourth. Evans' time of 4:40.67 was the eighth fastest time in program history. Mills crossed the line at 4:44.17.
Zoe Urcadez placed second in the 5,000 meters with a time of 17:59.31. In the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Corrine Murray came in fourth at 12:10.69.
"It was another windy day, but at least the rain held off and it was sunny," GU women's head coach Patty Ley said. "We saw consecutive wire to wire victories in the heats of the 1,500 with Olivia Evans taking the first heat, and Maggie the second. Jordan Thurston closed really well over the last 100 to grab 3rd in the first heat. Amelia and Shelby dropped way down from their specialties and showed a new level of speed with both recording personal records.
"We saw good competitive efforts and decent times given the conditions today. Hoping we catch a break with the weather again soon!"
On the men's side, Andy Phillips led three top-eight finishes for the Zags in the 800 meters. The senior's time of 1:54.84 was the fastest in the 61-runner field. He is currently the program-record holder at 1:51.49. Troy Fraley placed fifth at 1:56.17, while Conor McCandless' time of 1:56.77 was eighth. GU won three of the four 800-meter heats, as Jerry Sicalo won the third heat with a time of 1:59.73, and Graham Wendle won the fourth heat at 2:00.01.
Colin O'Neil won the 5,000 meters with a time of 15:14.99. The junior scored 10 points for the Washington schools with the victory. Teammate Braeden Van Deynze placed sixth at 15:26.90.
Fraley also had a second place finish in the 1,500 meters. His time of 3:54.47 ranks 10th on the GU all-time list. McCandless (3:57.64, 4th), Dan Amann (3:58.72, 5th), and Matthew Crichlow (4:00.07, 9th) all had top 10 finishes.
Henry Morris scored two points for the Washington schools with a seventh place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. The sophomore crossed the line at 10:16.86.
"It was not perfect conditions with a pretty good wind, but at least it was better than forecasted," Gonzaga Director of Track Pat Tyson said. "It was a nice tune-up meet for Zags as five men and two women head off to the famous Mount Sac Relays in Walnut, Calif, and another 24 Bulldogs head off to Hayward Field and the Oregon Relays next weekend."
