Martin, Tirado-Sanchez Rewrite History in Day Two of Mountain State Games

Full Results
Pocatello, ID - If you were to consult the zodiac calendar, it would tell you that 2024 is intended to be the year of the dragon. However, if you were to ask anyone following Idaho State Track and Field, they'd be quick to tell you that 2024 is the year of the Bengal.

This wouldn't be an impulse statement either, as the year to date has been filled with highlights for those wearing Orange and Black, and day two of the Mountain State Games was the latest episode in the must-watch series, featuring two familiar faces in the history books further staking their claim for the top spot. 

For the Bengals, the day commenced with the high jump, where Anthony Garcia took center stage, out-leaping any and all competition with a top mark of 2.03m (6'8"), his indoor personal best in Pocatello. Just behind him was fellow senior Ethan Garrett who, in his first competition of the year, jumped to a third-place finish at 1.98m (6'6"). The women's side was all Bengals as well, with Kapri Sylvester claiming the top spot at 1.71m (5'7.25") and Josie Settle tying her personal best jump of 1.61m (5'3.25")

From there, the show was begging to be stolen, and who answered the bell once again? Kyndal Martin. 

Having clinched her spot in multiple finals the day prior, the senior finished at least a full stride ahead of the rest of the competition in the 60mH, setting the event's school record for the third time this year at 8.41 seconds. She has now beaten the former record from 2008 by a full tenth of a second, and her most recent time sits at 8th-fastest in Big Sky Conference history. 

Nearly as impressive as her record-setting feat was the fact that Martin crossed the finish line and trotted right back to the blocks to run in the 60m finals, where she cruised to a second-place finish at 7.70 seconds.

The highlights only continued from there, as another record was rewritten within the hour. 

Just after Martin finished up the short sprints, Axel Tirado-Sanchez was warming up for the weight throw. First throw was best throw as he broke the school record that he had set only weeks prior with a distance of 19.09m (62'7.75"), over a half foot farther than his previous top mark. Tirado-Sanchez, a junior, has now set three school records over the last calendar year, with two weight throw marks and the discus record he set during the 2023 outdoor season.

Back on the track, Zachary Cox recorded a season-best 7.95 in a first-place 60mH finish, and Niklas Uth had a personal best 48.71 in the 400m. In the pole vault, Cade Ricks tied his personal record of 4.90m (16'00.75") as a first place finisher on the day. Ricks was one of two athletes with that height, but secured the top spot for being the only one to clear it on his first attempt.

Sarah Wilensky was the top finisher in the weight throw on the women's side with a toss of 18.61m (61'00.75"). Freshman Megan Moore also recorded a personal record throw of 16.23m (53'03") nearly four full feet farther than her previous PR.

The Bengals have concluded the home meets for the regular season, and are now set to head back to The Podium in Spokane, WA for the Big Sky Conference Championships from Feb. 22-24.