The Stanford Opener on Saturday marked the Aggies’ transition into their outdoor season.
“No rain and no wind. All around everyone had a really good meet,” said coach Deanne Vochatzer.
Both the men’s and women’s side of the meet were well represented.
They took a total of 10 first place ranks while competing against Stanford, California, San Francisco, Fresno St. and Cal Poly.
“Taking that many first place spots at a meet like this is really big,” said coach Jon Vochatzer.
The meet on Saturday only ran for three hours as opposed to the usually lengthier meets that run in the range of seven to nine hours.
“There is no time for relaxing when you are constantly moving from race to race,” Deanne said.
Highlighting the field competition for the men was senior Igor Seriba.
He captured first in both the triple jump and the long jump marking distances of 47-02.50 and 21-04.25, respectively.
“Igor’s on a mission,” Jon said. “He’s got this goal in mind and he won’t stop until he reaches it.”
In field events on the women’s side, Ashley Hearn led the Aggie women with a first place win in the shot put, clearing 44-04.00. She also was able to capture first in the discus throw with a personal best of 159-00.
“I’m really looking for some of the women throwers to step up,” Deanne said. “Ashley is already doing a really good job of that.”
Sprinting for the men, Thomas Phillips captured first place in the 100-meter sprint with a time of 47.77.
“Phillips really steps up to the competition and had a really great indoor season,” Jon said.
Returning from an injury, junior Gavin Banks managed to capture second place in both the 100 and 200-meter races.
“His performance was exceptional and we’re very excited to have him back,” Jon said.
Polly Gnepa took first in the 110-meter high hurdles with a time of 14.31.
“He really had a nice clean race and had a super-season last year so we are really looking forward to what’s in store,” Jon said.
Finally, rounding out the meet with the 4×400 relay, the men pushed forward in the last 60-meters to pass Stanford and capture first with a time of 3:15.80.
On the women’s side of the action, Sirena Williams captured first place in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.90.
In addition, senior Stephanie Eckels captured first place in the triple jump with a distance of 39-02.25, followed by teammate Kayla Green in second clearing 38-08.75.
Back in action, competing in the 3,000-meter race for the Aggies, Sarah Sumpter captured second with a time of 9:49.10.
“For Sumpter, who usually runs the 10,000 meter race, this is really great,” Deanne said.
“Overall we had a really great meet,” Jon said. “We are reaching a turning point in our transition from Division II to Division I. The athletes have really started to step up and lay it all out there.”
MADELINE WEEKS can be reached at sports@theaggie.org.
