WEEKEND RECAP (pt 1): Husky long throwers shine in San Diego, plus action in Spokane...

Apologies for not posting a preview of any of this weekend's meets, as publisher Paul Merca was traveling on business.

AZTEC INVITATIONAL

In San Diego, the Washington long throwers finally got to show their stuff as the Huskies competed in their outdoor season opener at the Aztec Invitational Friday and Saturday, hosted by San Diego State.

Tanya Simora (UW Athletics photo), a senior from Puyallup who had never competed in a Pac-12 championship meet in her career at Washington, put it all together to pick up her first victory as a Husky, winning the women's javelin with a personal best throw of 156-8 (47.76m).

Before Saturday, Simora's best throw as a Husky was 146-1 (44.54m) set at the 2021 Dual in Seattle against Washington State. Last year, Simora regressed, only throwing 127-1 (38.75m).

Freshman Saydi Orange finished third at 155-3 (47.33m), while Natalie Holmer was fourth at 144-6 (44.04m).

Former Pac-12 discus champ and All-American Elijah Mason was third in the discus with a throw of 193-6 (58.98m), while NCAA weight throw scorer Jayden White took third in the hammer with a best of 221-7 (67.54m).

In the men's javelin, Chandler Ault also got a third place finish, rifling the spear 232-8 (70.93m).

The women's shot put saw MaKayla Kelby finish second with a throw of 55-2.75 (16.83m), while Kaia Tupu-South was third at 52-10 (16.10m). Tupu-South also finished fourth in the discus, throwing 172-10 (52.70m).

Mountlake Terrace native and Texas Tech alum Chinne Okoronkwo won the women's pole vault at 14-4 (4.37m) over the Huskies' Nastassja Campbell, who cleared the same height but had an extra miss. Washington's Sara Borton tied for fourth at 13-8.25 (4.17m).

The only track race won by a Husky came from Cass Elliott, taking the 400 hurdles in 50.26, with Jonathan Birchman sixth at 54.17.

Prestin Artis was third in the mens long jump with a best of 24-7 (7.49m).

Complete results of the Aztec Invitational are available here.

BUC SCORING INVITATIONAL

In Spokane, Eastern Washington, Washington State, and Gonzaga all had athletes at the two day Buc Scoring Invitational hosted by Whitworth University at the Pine Bowl Thursday and Friday under cold conditions.

The Eagles swept the podium in women's 5000 meter run, as Lilly Fetzer won the event with a time of 17:20.36. Kaylin Sheley (17:23.41) and Madilynn Carr (17:26.09) followed in second the third receptively.

For the men's 5000 meter, Noah Hasselblad delivered the victory with a time of 14:29.14. 

Madison Tareski won the women's javelin with a 144-7 (44.07m) throw to take the top spot.

The Eagles continued to dominate in the pole vault as the men went one-two-three, led by Zach Klobutcher winning after clearing the bar at 16-7.25 (5.06m). 

Hally Ruff won on the women's side after clearing the bar at 12-4 (3.76m).

In the women's long jump, Emma Glanzer topped the podium with a 17-0 (5.18m) jump.

Bobby Say continued to rule the men's triple jump, winning with a 50-2.75 (15.31m) jump.

The Cougars got two wins from Suzy Pace in the women's high jump, clearing 5-4.25 (1.63m), while Justin Sands won the men's long jump at 22-4.5 (6.82m).

Gonzaga's only win of the meet came from Ellie Armbruster in the women's 400, running 56.90.

Complete results of the Buc Scoring Invitational are available here.

A recap of action from Washington's Division II teams will be posted Sunday.

NOTE: The sports information offices of San Diego State, Washington, Washington State, Gonzaga, and Eastern Washington contributed to this report.

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