UW women's DMR runs to second fastest time in the nation at Husky Classic...
SEATTLE--The Washington Husky women's distance medley relay took care of business, taking the victory to highlight day one of the Husky Classic at the Dempsey Indoor Friday.
A star studded trio of Penn State's Hayley Kitching, Washington's Chloe Foerster, and Stanford's Olympic 800m finalist Juliette Whittaker finished together around 3:14 on the opening 1200 leg.
Washington freshman Chloe Symon opened up a gap on the field on the 400 leg, clocking 55.0, before handing the stick to Jenica Swartz.
Despite getting tangled up with Penn State's Boh Ritchie, Swartz regained her composure to run a 2:04.6 before handing the baton to Mia Cochran (Paul Merca photo).
Cochran, who was chased by Villanova's Tilly O'Connor early in the 1600 leg, pulled away to seal the victory with a 4:31.1 anchor leg, as the Dawgs crossed the line in 10:45.03, the second fastest time in the country.
In the men's invitational mile, Seattle resident Sam Prakel, who won the Mile City meet two weeks ago, performer pacing duties in an effort to set up Washington alum Nathan Green.
Prakel set Green up perfectly, as the two-time NCAA 1500 meter champ ran to a personal best of 3:50.31.
Behind Green was Washington's Thomas Diamond, who ran a personal best 3:52.49, and became the 400th runner to break 4 minutes in the mile in the Dempsey's 25-year history.
The top five runners in the top section of the invitational mile broke four minutes, while in the first of two sections, the top eight finishers all went under four, bringing the total to 403 sub-four minute miles.
Other highlights:
--In the top section of the men's 3000, NCAA cross country champion Habtom Samuel, the defending Husky Classic champion, defended his title, crossing the line first in 7:37.44, ahead of the Huskies' Reuben Reina, who ran 7:42.02.
Washington alum Joe Waskom was third in 7:44.28.
--On the field, Western Washington's Calvin Gutierrez, tuning up for the GNAC championships on Monday and Tuesday, won the men's weight throw with a best of 63-6.75 (19.37m).
--The women's pole vault saw Cal Poly's Lexi Evans win with a clearance of 14-9.5 (4.51m) to beat Eastern Washington's defending Big Sky indoor champ Suzi Woodall, who cleared a best of 13-1.5 (4.00m).
The Husky Classic concludes Saturday, with the first events getting underway at 10 am.
CATES SURPRISES WITH A 7-FOOT CLEARANCE IN ALBUQUERQUE...
Cates, who redshirted last year and had a personal best of 6-11 (2.11m) from high school two years ago, cleared 7-2.25 (2.19m) to take the win.
In the men's pole vault, UW's Jimmy Rhoads' two meet winning streak and 19-foot clearances were both broken, as pro Olen Oates took the win with a jump of 19-0.75 (5.81m).
Rhoads cleared a best on the day of 18-8.75 (5.71m).
The Huskies' Alex Rhodes won the open section of the men's 400, running 46.15.
The meet resumes Saturday. Day one results of the Don Kirby Elite are available here.
AARON AHL UNLOADS A 3:51 MILE IN BOSTON...
Washington alum Aaron Ahl, who did not get into the Tokyo world championships in the 3000 steeplechase, as he was the fastest runner outside the qualifying standards, ran a personal best 3:51.33 to finish second overall in the mile at the Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational.
Ahl finished behind Wes Porter of Under Armour Baltimore, who ran 3:50.37 to take the win.
Results of the David Hemery Valentine Invitational are available here.
NOTE: The sports information offices of Washington, New Mexico, and Boston University contributed to this report.
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