Jan. 28, 2011
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Whitney Ashley and Shanieka Thomas each had impressive debuts to lead the San Diego State track and field team on the first day of the UNM Invitational Friday in Albuquerque, N.M.
A transfer from Cerritos College, Ashley took third of 24 participants in the weight throw with a toss of 56 feet, 2 inches. It was the second-best weight throw in school history, just 5 ½ inches behind Tamara McMillian's 56-07.5 set in 2009.
A freshman competing in her first-ever collegiate meet, Thomas cleared 5-6 in the high jump to place fifth of 20 competitors. It was the fourth-best indoor mark in Aztec history and only two inches behind SDSU Hall of Famer member Marla Runyan (1992) and Aja Makaila Frary (1999).
Freshman Allison Reaser also had solid first day of competition as she took ninth in the long jump with a leap of 18-01.50, just out of the school's top-10 in the event. Sophomore Alex Evans, who holds the No. 10 mark at 18-02.50, finished 18th of the 36 participants with a jump of 17-03.50, while junior Thoraya Maronsey was 24th (16-10.75).
On the track, senior Jessika Hornsby finished 21st overall out of 57 finishers in the 200-meter dash, clocking a time of 25.46 seconds. Sophomore AnSherae Devine was fifth in the 600 (1:41.43).
The final day of competition begins tomorrow (Saturday) at 11 a.m. MT.
UNM Invitational
The Albuquerque Convention Center
Albuquerque, N.M.
Friday Results (SDSU athletes only)
200 Meters (57 finishers): 21. Jessika Hornsby - 25.46
600 Meters (six finishers): 5. AnSherae Devine - 1:41.43
Long Jump (36 qualifiers): 9. Allison Reaser - 18-01.50; 18. Alex Evans - 17-03.50; 24. Thoraya Maronsey - 16-10.75
High Jump (20 qualifiers): 5. Shanieka Thomas - 5-06.00
Weight Throw (24 qualifiers): 3. Whitney Ashley - 56-02.00