May 12, 2018
CLOVIS, Calif. -- The San Diego State Track & Field team captured the Mountain West Outdoor Championship Saturday evening. The Aztecs, who entered the day in 11th place, dominated every sprinting event to rally and win their fourth championship in the last six years.
The Aztecs took first in all five sprinting events. Ashley Henderson won the 100 (11.04w) and 200 meter dashes (22.59), her third time winning both events. Lisa-Anne Barrow claimed her first individual conference championship, winning the 400 meter dash (52.11). The Aztecs also won both relay events, the 4x100 (44.23) and 4x400 (3:37.39). It was the third straight year the Aztecs have won the 4x100 relay.
Henderson was named the Most Outstanding Performer of the Meet, the fifth time she has won this award, extending her Mountain West Record. Shelia Burrell was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year, the fourth time she has earned this honor.
Despite entering the day so far back in the standings, the Aztecs had high hopes for the day due to the high volume of sprinters who qualified for Saturday's finals. SDSU ended up earning a combined eight top four finishes in the 100, 200 and 400 meter dashes.
In the 100 meter dash, the Aztecs notched three of the top four spots. Ashley Henderson, the fastest woman in America in 2018, took gold with a time of 11.04. Simone Glenn earned bronze (11.42) and Rochene Smith finished in fourth (11.43). Freshman Callista Fletcher came in seventh with a time of 11.86.
The Aztecs showed their strength in the 200 meter dash. They entered the race having a remarkable five of the nine runners competing and ended up occupying five of the top seven spots, including the top three. Henderson (22.59), Glenn (23.30) and Lisa-Anne Barrow (23.39) swept the medals, and freshman Jalyn Harris (6th; 23.82) and Rochene Smith (7th; 23.95) also picked up crucial points for the Aztecs.
"It's very exciting. It's a bittersweet moment for me," Henderson said after the meet. "Being up [on the podium] with my teammates after finishing one, two and three meant so much to me because we've been hoping for this. We knew it could happen!"
Lisa-Anne Barrow became the first Aztec to win the 400 meter dash since 2009. Her time of 52.11 was the third best in SDSU history and Mountain West Championship history. Jalyn Harris also PR'd to earn bronze with a time of 53.59. Tyra Lea (6th; 55.00) and Lakin Hatcher (8th; 55.73) also picked up points for the Aztecs.
The Aztecs won the 4x100 meter relay for the third straight year. The group of Rochene Smith, Simone Glenn, Callista Fletcher and Ashley Henderson finished in 44.23, which is the third fastest time in Mountain West Championship history and fifth best in school history.
By the time the 4x400 meter relay was run, the Aztecs had locked up the championship, but that didn't stop them from gutting out the victory. By the time Lisa-Anne Barrow, the anchor leg, received the baton, she was neck-and-neck with UNLV but pulled ahead down the stretch to help the Aztecs sweep the sprints and finish in 3:37.39.
Jasmine Young PR'd in the 400 meter hurdles for the second straight evening, finishing in 1:01.00, good for sixth place.
The Aztecs picked up some huge points in the pole vault as well. Kaitlin Heri PR'd by clearing 13' 5.75" to earn second place and Marissa Berry finished in third (13' 1.75"). Rachel Craft finished in seventh with a new personal best of 12' 6".
UP NEXT
The Aztecs will be competing at the NCAA prelims in Sacramento, Calif. May 24-26. The top 48 from the region advance and the top 24 relays. Entering the weekend, the Aztecs had nine athletes who would qualify along with their 4x100 and 4x400 relays.
THE NOTE I
Senior Ashley Henderson has won a school record combined 14 conference championships between the indoor and outdoor seasons. She has now won the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay at the last three MW Outdoor Championships. Additionally, Henderson has been named the Conference Championship Most Outstanding Performer at the last five championships.
THE NOTE II
The Aztecs won the championship despite not having an athlete compete in five events. They entered the day in 11th place.
STAT OF THE MEET
The Aztecs finished first, second and third in the 200 meter dash, first, third and fourth in the 100 meter dash and first and third in the 400 meter dash.
QUOTE OF THE MEET
"I hated track when I was younger and now here I am doing some things I never thought possible. It means a lot to me to come home a three-time defending champion and being able to stand up there with my other two teammates." Ashley Henderson on winning 200 meter dash for third straight year
2018 Mountain West Outdoor Championships
May 12, 2018 -- Day Four
Clovis, Calif.
Veteran's Memorial Stadium
Overall Team Scores
1. San Diego State -- 120.5
2. UNLV -- 108
3. Colorado State -- 106.5
100m Dash Finals (+2.3)
1. Ashley Henderson (SDSU) -- 11.04w *3rd fastest in MW Championship History*
3. Simone Glenn (SDSU) -- 11.32w
4. Rochene Smith (SDSU) -- 11.43w
7. Callista Fletcher (SDSU) -- 11.86w
200m Dash Finals (+0.3)
1. Ashley Henderson (SDSU) -- 22.59 *2nd best in MW Championship History*
2. Simone Glenn (SDSU) -- 23.30
3. Lisa-Anne Barrow (SDSU) -- 23.39 *6th best in SDSU history, PR*
6. Jalyn Harris (SDSU) -- 23.82 *PR*
7. Rochene Smith (SDSU) -- 23.95
400m Dash Finals
1. Lisa-Anne Barrow (SDSU) -- 52.11 *3rd best in SDSU and MW Championship History*
3. Jalyn Harris (SDSU) -- 53.59 *10th best in SDSU history, PR*
6. Tyra Lea (SDSU) -- 55.00
8. Lakin Hatcher (SDSU) -- 55.73
800m Run Finals
1. Avi' Tal Wilson-Perteete (UNLV) -- 2:02.87 *MW Record*
7. Angela Wilson (SDSU) -- 2:11.26
5000 Run
1. Allie Ostrander (Boise St.) -- 15.44.11 *MW Record*
26. Cassidy Towner (SDSU) -- 17:20.07
400m Hurdles
1. Karoline Sauer (Nevada) -- 59.21
6. Jasmine Young (SDSU) -- 1:01.00 *PR*
4x100 Relay
1. San Diego State (R. Smith, Glenn, Fletcher, Henderson) -- 44.23 *3rd fastest in MW Championship History & 5th in SDSU history*
4x400 Relay
1. San Diego State (Hatcher, Lea, J. Harris, Barrow) -- 3:37.39
Javelin Throw
1. Vanja Spaic (Fresno St.) - 168' 4" (51.30m)
9. Melody Harris (SDSU) -- 135' 6" (41.30m)
Discus Throw
1. Maria Muzzio (Colorado St.) -- 175' 6" (53.50m)
10. Coryne McKenney (SDSU) -- 146' 9" (44.73m)
11. Anushi Desai (SDSU) -- 146' 4" (44.60m)
12. Cari Acosta (SDSU) -- 140' 11" (42.96m)
Pole Vault
1. Kathryn Tomczak (Air Force) -- 13' 5.75" (4.11m)
2. Kaitlin Heri (SDSU) -- 13' 5.75" (4.11m) *PR*
3. Marissa Berry (SDSU) -- 13' 1.75" (4.01m)
7. Rachel Craft (SDSU) -- 12' 6" (3.81m) *PR*
Triple Jump
1. Ja'la Henderson (Wyoming) -- 43' 10.5" (13.37m) (+0.9)
8. Jelena McNown (SDSU) -- 39' 4"w (11.99m) (+2.1)
11. Je'Neal Ainsworth (SDSU) -- 38' 8.75 (11.80m) (+2.0)