Monterola ends Eastern Washington career with fourth career Big Sky title...


POCATELLO, Idaho--The Eastern Washington University track and field teams finished off the Big Sky Indoor Championships in Pocatello, Idaho Saturday (March 1) by walking away with two Big Sky Champions, seven all-conference performers and a number of impressive performances.

Competing in her last meet as an Eagle, Keisa Monterola (above/photo courtesy Eastern Washington University) capped of her career in perfect fashion, winning the pole vault with a clearance of 13-5 3/4 (4.11m). The Venezuela-native finishes with four conference titles in five career Big Sky appearances. Freshman Courtney Bray had a jump of 12-10 to place fourth and just miss the podium. That mark ranks Bray fourth all-time at Eastern.

“Keisa capped her career with her fourth title for Eastern,” said head women’s coach Marcia Mecklenburg. “I know she wanted to vault higher, but I am excited that she came out on top.”

“Courtney also got us great points,” Mecklenburg added. “While we are losing an Eagle legend in Keisa, I can see the baton being passed to Courtney.”

Jon Buchanan put together another All-Conference performance, placing second in the shot put with a personal-best toss of 58-5 1/4 (17.81m). That mark ranks second in school history only behind school-record holder Chris Benson, who had a throw of 59-1 3/4 (18.03m) in 1986. Buchanan was coming off a third-place finish in the weight throw friday, helping complete an EWU sweep.

Brad Michael placed third in the 400, clocking a time of 48.25. The junior has claimed a podium spot in all five Big Sky Championship appearances during his career. Freshman Austin Upmeyer was seventh in the event with a time of 50.58.

In team scoring, the EWU men tallied 56 points to finish in a tie for fifth with Weber State. The Eagle women took eighth with 40 points.


NOTE:  The sports information department at Eastern Washington University contributed to this report.

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