Western Washington University’s Katie Reichert had an NCAA Division II automatic national qualifying mark in the women’s javelin as the Vikings opened their outdoor track and field season at the University of Puget Sound five-way meet on Saturday, March 7, at Baker Stadium on the UPS campus.
Riechert, who placed second at nationals last year — one inch behind teammate Bethany Drake, had a throw of 159-2 on her third attempt in the prelims.
Two WWU men’s javelin throwers had provisional national qualifying efforts. Slater Hirst placed second with a mark of 205-0 and John Haskin was third at 201-0. Hirst finished fourth and Haskin eighth at nationals last spring.
A total of 10 Vikings were event winners. Besides Reichert, they included Alexandra Laiblin in the women’s 10,000 (39:06.12), Matt Lutz in the men’s 3,000 steeplechase (9:24.73), Ryan Macdonald in the men’s discus (159-6), Rudy Mataya in the men’s long jump (21-2 1/2), Travis Milbrandt in the men’s 110 hurdles (14.71), Haley O’Connor in the women’s 1,500 (4:37.26), Anna Paradee in the women’s pole vault (11-5 3/4), Shawna Troupe in the women’s 400 (59.10), and Katelyn Wright in the women’s high jump (5-1 3/4).
The times of O’Connor in the 1,500, Lutz in the 3,000 steeplechase and Milbrandt in the 110 hurdles were meet records as was Macdonald’s mark in the discus.
Troupe also placed second in the 1,500 (4:44.47) and ran a leg on the 4x400 relay (4:07.42) that finished third.
Having performances just off the provisional standard for WWU were J.T. Konrad (Fr., Mead/Mount Spokane), who was runner-up in the men’s pole vault at 15-5, Lutz in the steeplechase and O’Connor in the 1,500.
WWU next competes at the University of Oregon Preview Meet on March 21 at Eugene, Ore.
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