Arbiter Online: Victorious: Boise State men’s track and field wins the WAC Championship, while the women’s team takes third

Victorious: Boise State men’s track and field wins the WAC Championship, while the women’s team takes third

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Winning championships is a Bronco tradition. That tradition continued as the Bronco men’s track and field team won the Indoor Western Athletic Conference Championship Saturday night.

“It’s awesome because last year we were second to Utah State, and they came in to our house and took the trophy home,” head coach Mike Maynard said. “Nobody around here really liked that at all and I know the guys were very motivated to come home with a championship.” Maynard was named WAC Coach of the Year after the meet.

The men’s team took first with a score of 150, Utah State came in with 145.5 and Idaho rounded out the top three with 121.5.

“It was a team effort,” senior Ryan Grinnell said. “Everyone played hard and did whatever they could to help the team. I’m just really in awe because this was such an up and down rollercoaster of a meet, it’s unbelievable.”

On the women’s side, the top three was only decided by a few points with Boise State in third at 112, Idaho at second with 114 and Louisiana Tech took first at 120.

“This is our absolute best performance ever by our women’s team at a conference championship,” Maynard said. “These ladies will win a championship, mostly I’m so excited about the legacy that this ladies’ team has built because there were times when there was turmoil in the team and they’ve become a sisterhood and are so strong.”

Grinnell continues dominance

Grinnell retained his throne as king of the jumping events, winning 28 out of a possible 30 points for the Broncos. Grinnell took home gold in the long jump and triple jump, and silver in the high jump.

“I don’t think I’d be where I’m at without my team cheering me on at every meet,” he said. “It definitely helps jumpers, with the clap going and getting that rhythm, I don’t think I’d really be able to jump far,” Grinnell said after the big wins.

Grinnell continually dominated throughout the season receiving NCAA provisional marks, and jumps that have qualified him for the National Indoor Track Championships.

“He’s one of the best performers not only in Boise State history but you could argue in WAC history,” Maynard said of Grinnell. “He’s just exceptional.”

Next up for Grinnell is nationals and the outdoor track competition.

Women’s team shows their mettle

The Bronco ladies finished the indoor track season in a tough battle for the championship coming within eight points of first place.

“Everybody notices champions when they carry off a trophy but there are other champions out there, my women’s team is a whole team of champions,” Maynard said. “In my heart it’s actually the biggest story.”

Senior Eleni Kafourou won the WAC Championship in the long jump at 6.06m and triple jump with a 13.28m mark.

Kafourou was also named the Co-Outstanding Field Performer. Outside the field events, Kafourou took second place in the 60-meter dash.

Another impressive first place performance was Kayleen McDowell running the 800 meter in 2:12.07 minutes.

On the pole vault, junior Annelise Bertleson and sophomore BreAnna Craig finish thirded and fourth respectively, both adding points for the Broncos.

On the track, senior Megan Olivetti broke a Boise State school record, clocking a personal record in the 60-meter hurdles, despite coming in fourth.

“I wanted to end the season with a PR and breaking my school record was good, but it was a little bittersweet wanting to win the team championship and we were really close,” Olivetti said.

BRITTNEY JOHNSON
Arbiter Journalist

Filed under: SPORTS — Archive @ 12:00 am March 2nd, 2009

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