Sports - Sports News

POSTED: Friday, Apr. 24, 2009

COLLEGE TRACK AND FIELD: Western records set in pole vaults

Ryan Brown and Christy Miller set school records in the men's women's pole vault, respectively, highlighting Viking performances at the ninth annual Western Washington University Twilite Track and Field Meet on Friday night at Civic Stadium.

Brown cleared 16-3/4, becoming the first Western athlete to surpass 16 feet outdoors. The mark was a meet record and also made him a provisional qualifier for the NCAA Division II National Championships.

Miller won the women's pole vault in a meet-record 12-4, breaking her own school record and improving her provisional qualifying mark.

Ellie Siler had a big night for the Vikings on the track, having a hand in four victories. Siler won the women's 200 (25.63) and 400 (56.20) meters, and anchored the victorious 4x100 (48.13) and 4x400 (4:00.09) relays.

Heidi Dimmitt also ran legs on both women's relays, and won the 400 hurdles in 1:02.78.

The other multiple winner for Western was Emily Warman, who claimed the women's triple jump (37-8) and long jump (18-1).

In all, the Western women won 12 events. Courtney Olsen set a meet record in winning the 3,000 steeplechase in 11:31.58. Other women's winners were Clara Cook in the high jump (5-3 3/4), Megan Zukowski in the 100 (12.32) and Rachael Johnson in the 800 (2:15.23).

Brown's effort in the pole vault was part of a sweep of the top four spots in the event by the Viking men. Western also had a 1-2-3 sweep in the men's 400 hurdles, with Ben Wargo winning in 55.07. Wargo also ran a leg on the victorious 4x400 (3:26.76) relay.

Other triumphs for the men were the 4x100 relay (42.26), Sam Bedell in the 1,500 (4:00.11), Anthony Tomsich in the 800 (1:53.78), Will Davis in the triple jump (46-0) and Donavan Cunningham in the discus (157-10).

In all, nine meet records fell. Besides the three by Western athletes, others were set by Laura Carlyle from Pearson's Athletic Club in the women's 1,500 (4:33.87), Jeeni Schantin from Seattle Pacific in the women's javelin (156-4), Ant Brown (unattached) in the men's 110 hurdles (14.48), Daniel Friesen from Seattle Pacific in the men's 3,000 steeplechase (9:39.23), Justin Felt from Seattle Pacific in the men's long jump (22-11) and Central Washington's Tyler Fischer in the men's hammer (185-8).