Gallery: (2-12-2022) Idaho State Track and Field
POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State track and field wrapped up the 2022 Mountain State Games at Holt Arena. The Bengals are continuing to build momentum heading into the Big Sky Conference Indoor Championships.
"The team did an excellent job this week with being positive and resilient with a few challenges we had to navigate," said Director of Track and Field Hillary Merkley. "They sure came ready to compete the last two days. We had some really good performances and I think those have come at some key times for us as we head into conference championships. I was really proud of the outcomes. There were a lot of hugs and celebrations and I love that! We all need more of those!"
The games concluded with a 1st place finish from the women's 4x400 relay. Kyndal Martin started the race with a steady pace that put Presley Timmons in a position to put pressure on the rest of the racers. Ashley Sturgis made a few passes that proved to be vital going into the last hand off. Elizabeth Butler anchored for the Bengals and was neck and neck with Westminster College until Butler kicked into gear and separated herself in the final straightaway to give the Bengals a time of 3:53.36. and the first-place podium. On the men's side, the 4x400 relay squad finished 2nd place just shy of Carroll College to wrap up the last event of the games. Carroll College made a pivotal pass on the final turn and held on to the lead as the Bengals took the 2nd place finish.
Day 2 started with the men's heptathlon and Bengals Cade Ricks setting a personal best 4429 points. The mark is the 3rd highest in the Big Sky Conference this season.
In the Women's High Jump, the Bengals swept the field. Kapri Sylvester and Kylee Dimick tied for first place with Jumps at 1.70m (5' 7"). Brianna Hagler took 3rd with a height of 1.65m (5' 5"). Ashley Sturgis cleaned up 4th place with a height of 1.60m (5' 3").
The Bengals filled two spots on the podium in the Men's 200 Meter Dash with Kodee Vining taking 1st with a time of 21.71 and Connor Maloney taking 3rd with a time of 22.78.
Vining set a new PR in the 60m dash, finishing second with a time of 6.94 seconds. The mark is eigth all-time in the ISU record book.
Brett Bronson finished in 2nd place for the Bengals in the Men's 400meter dash with a time of 49.53.
Idaho State placed 1st in the Women's 400-meter dash thanks to Elizabeth Butlers PR time of 57.46. and moved her into the 6th spot in the Big Sky.
Once again, Collin Dylla took home a 1st place finish in the men's 800-meter run with a time of 1:51.94. Dylla beat out a field of 24 competitors including runners from Big Sky Southern Utah and Utah State.
In the Men's 60H Zachary Cox ran away with a First-place finish and time of 8.16 which puts him at 7th in the Big Sky this season.
Michael Shulikov and Owen Mitchell placed 1st and 2nd for the Bengals in the Men's High Jump. Shulikov took first place with a personal best jump of 2.08m (6' 9.75") while Mitchell took second place with 2.03m (6' 8") leap.
The Bengals recorded another podium sweep in the Men's Pole vault with Tyler Valenzuela taking 1st place with a height of 4.90m (16' 0.75") while Ricks and Lofton Thomas took 2nd and 3rd both clearing 4.75m (15' 7").
Looking Forward
The Bengals have a lot to look forward to heading into the Big Sky Conference Indoor Championships (Feb. 24th -26th) in Bozeman, MT.
Follow along at ISUBengals.com to keep up to date with the team and don't forget to follow along on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
