Anthony Smith runs NCAA D1 leading time in 200 at Spokane Invitational...
SPOKANE--Season two of indoor track and field at The Podium kicked off with the Spokane Invitational that featured several top ten marks by Washington athletes in the second full weekend of the collegiate season.
Washington sophomore Anthony Smith (Paul Merca photo) rocketed to the top of the NCAA Division I list in the 200 meters, as the world championships U20 finalist last summer ran 21.28 for the victory, reprising his win from last year.
400 meter hurdler Cass Elliott moved up to his indoor distance of 800 meters and repeated his victory at last year's inaugural Spokane Invitational, running 1:50.82, which is the number eight time in NCAA D1.
Elliott on the leadoff, and Smith on the anchor teamed with Eastern Washington transfer Daniel Gaik on the second leg, and Matthew Wilkinson on the third leg to break The Podium facility record, running 3:11.67, currently the second fastest time in the country.
Freshman Sarah Ferguson of the Dawgs tied her personal best in the women's invitational pole vault, clearing 13-9.25 (4.20m) to beat fellow frosh teammate Avril Wilson, who cleared 13-5.25 (4.10m).
Senior Maribel Caicedo of Washington State, a newcomer to the program from Ecuador, won the women's 60 hurdles in a time of 8.29, the fifth fastest time in D1 so far this season. In the process, she turned back the challenge of teammate Micaela De Mello, who ran 8.32, the eighth fastest time so far this season.
Vanessa Aniteye of Seattle Pacific ran the fastest Division II mark in winning the women's 800 in 2:13.04.
Other Washington winners on the day included the Huskies' Prestin Artis in the men's long jump, who went 24-3.5 (7.40m); Washington State's Ethan Willems in the men's 300 in 33.92; Elise Unruh-Thomas in the women's 300 in 39.41; and Daylon Hicks in men's high jump, clearing 6-6.75 (2.00m).
The Gonzaga men got three wins in the distance races, as Jackson Lyne won the mile in 4:25.48, in a race that was initially stopped after three laps because of a timing issue. Cooper Laird won the 3000 in 8:22.14, while NCAA cross country competitor Wil Smith won the 5000 in 14:01.31 in essentially a solo attempt to break 14 minutes.
Eastern Washington's Christian Meter won the open men's pole vault, clearing 14-1.45 (4.30m).
The 2022-23 indoor track season resumes after the holidays, as Washington hosts the UW Indoor Preview on January 14th, and Washington State hosts the Cougar Classic the day before back at The Podium.
NOTE: The Spokane Sports Commission and The Podium contributed to this report.
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