Freshman Christine Kirkwood makes strong debut for Cougs at USC Trojan Invitational...

LOS ANGELES--Washington State freshman Christine Kirkwood (left/photo courtesy Washington State University) made a strong debut in the javelin as the Cougars and Huskies opened up competition at the USC Trojan Invitational Friday night at Loker Stadium

Kirkwood placed second in the women's javelin with a collegiate debut toss of 164-feet, 2 inches (50.05m). Her older sister, All-American Courtney Kirkwood Simmons finished fourth with a toss of 160-4 (48.87m). BYU's Allyson Wardell-Andersen edged Kirkwood to win the competition with a throw of 167-11 (51.19m).

The Huskies' Amanda Peterson (left/photo by Randy Miyazaki, trackandfieldphoto.com) was fifth at 159-3 (48.53m), followed by fellow senior Brooke Pighin in sixth at 154-10 (47.19m), and teammate Jordin Seekins in seventh at 140-2 (42.72m).

WSU's Anna Adamko threw 137-7 (41.95m) for ninth and Jaclyn Onosko threw the spear 129-2 (39.37m) for 10th.

In the men's javelin, reigning Pac-10 champ Cooper Thompson of USC took the victory with a toss of 235-2 (71.69m), with the Huskies' Joe Zimmerman second at 228-9 (69.72m).

Washington State's Sam Ferenchak was third at 216-9 (66.07m), while Washington freshman Curtis Claussen was fifth at 207-4 (63.20m). Cougar frosh Derek Byrne was ninth at 183-4 (55.88m).

In the men's hammer, Washington's Angus Taylor was fifth at 187-11 (57.27m), while teammate Conner Larned was sixth at 171-0 (52.13m). USC alum Trey Henderson won with a toss of 227-0 (69.18m).

The Huskies' Elisa Bryant had a rough go in the women's hammer, as the senior fouled all three preliminary throws. Hungary's Eva Orban won at 225-3 (68.66m).

On the track, Phoebe Merritt was the only Husky competing, finishing fifth in the 3000 in 9:51.49, as USC's Zsofia Erdelyi, a former Pac 10 steeple champ won in 9:36.21.

In the men's 5000, former Gonzaga assistant coach Forest Braden finished third in 13:59.46, while Oregon's Chris Kwiatkowski from Bellingham was fourth in 14:02.46. Texas A&M's Henry Lelei won in 13:50.03.

The USC Trojan Invitational continues Saturday with a full slate of events.

Complete day 1 results from the USC Trojan Invitational are available here.

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