EWU's Maggie Nelson kicks off championship weekend with podium finish in Big Sky pentathlon...

BOZEMAN, Montana--Eastern Washington's Maggie Nelson (photo courtesy EWU Athletics) kicked off championship weekend with a third place performance in the pentathlon at the Big Sky Conference championships at Worthington Arena on the campus of Montana State University.

Nelson broke her own school record in the pentathlon by placing third overall with 3,702 points. Her point total from Thursday's competition broke her previous school record of 3,604 points. Nelson is Eastern Washington's first-ever all-conference performer in program history in the pentathlon. 

 "Now that is how I like starting a meet, a new school record and our first medalist. Nelson's third-place finish in the pentathlon was about as well rounded a competition for her as you can get. She had personal records in four out of five events. Kudos to multis coach Dave Nielsen for coaching six heptathletes and two pentathletes all competing at the same time," explained women's head coach Marcia Mecklenburg. 

Nelson also had personal bests in four out of the five events which were the 60-meter hurdles (9.43, 822 pts), high jump (5-4.25/1.63m, 771 pts), shot put 41-11.25/12.78m, 713 pts), and the long jump (18-3.25/5.57m, 720 pts). Nelson also ran the 800 meters in 2:31.38 for 676 points. 

Meanwhile, the Eagles' Race Treat sits second in the heptathlon at the break with 2912 points. He started the day by running 7.21 in the 60, then jumped 21-6.75 (6.57m) in the long jump. Treat then threw the shot 40-3.5 (12.28m), then finished day 1 with a clearance of 6-5 (1.96m) in the high jump.

Eastern's Quintin Porterfield (6th, 2724), Ryan Rieckmann (7th, 2717), and Elijah Conley (8th, 2680) are in scoring position at the break.

The main portion of the Big Sky Conference championships get underway Friday at 9 am with ten finals, a bevy of qualifying heats, plus the conclusion of the heptathlon.

Day 1 results of the Big Sky Conference championships are available here.

In Seattle, both Washington and Washington State will have full teams on hand for Friday and Saturday's Pac-12 Invitational meet at the Dempsey Indoor, beginning at noon Friday. 

With the Pac-12 not sponsoring indoor track and field as a championship sport, the Pac-12 Invitational is essentially a last chance meet for those athletes looking for top-16 marks to get qualified for the NCAA championship meet in Birmingham, Alabama in two weeks.

A select few professional athletes will also be in the meet, and unattached competitors are also permitted.

The most notable pro athlete in the field is US Olympic steeplechaser Valerie Constein, who is entered in the women's mile. The University of Colorado alum, who won the Husky Classic 3000 two weeks ago, is hoping that her presence will help the other women in the field to fast times.

Other Olympians in the meet include Aneta Konieczek of Oregon (Poland) in the 3000; Jorinde Van Klinken of Arizona State (Netherlands) in the shot; Camryn Rogers of Cal (Canada) in the weight throw; Micah Williams of Oregon (USA) in the 60; and Emmanuel Ihemeje (Italy) of Oregon in the long jump.

Defending NCAA champions in the meet include Williams, Ihemeje, Van Klinken, Kemba Nelson of Oregon (w 60), and Turner Washington of Arizona State (m shot put). Arizona's Samantha Noennig is a former NCAA champ entered in the shot put.

Live results and the start lists for the Pac-12 Invitational are available here. Media partner RunnerSpace.com ($) will offer live streaming of the meet both days.

While the collegians are battling for spots to Birmingham and the NCAA championships, the pros are in Spokane for the USATF Indoor Track & Field Championships at The Podium Saturday and Sunday, with spots on the line for the World Indoor championships team competing in Belgrade, Serbia on March 18-20th.

Pros with Washington ties competing Saturday include Devin Dixon (400); Isaiah Harris, Drew Windle, Brooke Feldmeier, Laurie Barton and Nia Akins (800); Eleanor Fulton & Alexa Efraimson (1500); and Dillon Maggard (3000).

On Sunday, those athletes in the 400 and 800 who advance from Saturday's qualifying round will run in the finals in those events, along with Sam Prakel & Henry Wynne (1500); Devon Allen (60H); Olympic gold medalist and former Pullman resident Katie Nageotte, Olivia Gruver, twins Amanda & Hana Moll (pole vault); and Kiana Davis (triple jump).

Current Cougars Colton Johnsen (1500), Sam Brixey & Nick Johnson (60 hurdles) will also compete on Sunday as well. Johnson is entered in the 60 hurdles at the Pac-12 Invitational on Saturday in Seattle.

CNBC and the NBC Sports app will offer live coverage of the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, with the TV window from 2 to 4 PM both days.

The time schedule for the USATF Indoor championship meet is available here, while the link to live results and the start lists are here.

NOTE: Spokane Sports, USA Track & Field, World Athletics, and the sports information offices of the University of Washington, Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, and the Big Sky Conference contributed to this report.

paulmerca.blogspot.com may receive a commission for any purchases made from links clicked. Please support this site and our sponsors by clicking on the links.