March 16, 2007
SAN DIEGO - AZTEC INVITATIONAL DAY ONE RESULTS | DAY TWO HEATS
The San Diego State track and field team completed day one of the 29th annual Aztec Invitational at SDSU Sports Deck on Friday. For the day, the Aztecs had 16 athletes qualify for Saturday's track finals.
San Diego State opened on a strong note in the 3,000-meter steeplechase as the Aztecs finished second, third and fourth in a field of six runners. Senior Celeste Tyson ran the second-fastest time at 11 minutes, 19.59 seconds and was followed by classmates Jackie Duncan (11:33.71) and Sara Cates (11:52.73).
In the next event, the 100-meter hurdles, sophomore Decontee Kaye was the lone Aztec representative as she advanced to Saturday's final with a seventh-place effort of 16.55. Meanwhile in the 1,500-meter run, freshman Lindsay Barajas posted the fastest time among the 24 competitors with a clocking of 4:54.64. Barajas led a group of five SDSU freshmen in the race, which included Darien Buc (6th, 4:59.48), Stephanie Armstrong (9th, 5:06.79), Makenzie Mabry (10th, 5:06.85) and Jessica Walker (12th, 5:13.80). Barajas also qualified for the 800 finals by placing fifth (2:27.70).
At the midway point of the day, the 400 was contested with three Aztecs finishing in the top five. Juniors Sherraine Pencil and Mandy Upuu finished 1-2 with times of 55.02 and 55.79, respectively, while sophomore Corri Campbell-Fell came in fifth at 59.72. The aforementioned trio advance to Saturday's finals along with Raquel Butler, who finished in seventh place (1:01.10).
Similar to the 400, the 100 produced impressive results as all four Aztecs entered in the race qualified for day two's final. Shana Watson was the top finisher posting a time of 12.23, while Vonnie Fulford placed third (12.44), followed by freshmen Kai Wheeler (4th, 12.56) and Amber Waddell (8th, 12.80).
In the final track event of the afternoon, SDSU had three qualify for the 200 finals and were led by sophomore Karoline Koehler's second-place performance of 24.90. Joining her in the final was Stone, who finished fifth (25.34) and Fulford, who turned in a sixth-place effort of 25.52.
In the field events, sophomore Dana Jensen was the lone Aztec to finish atop the scoreboard as she recorded the top vault, clearing 11 feet, 8 inches. Freshman Jordan Cabral also competed, posting a fourth-place effort of 10-4.00.
Final day action of the Aztec Invitational begins Saturday at 11 a.m. PDT at SDSU Sports Deck.