Bengals Open Strong at Home: PRs and Historic Marks Highlight Day 1 of Bengal Invitational

The Idaho State Track and Field came out firing on Day 1 of the 2025 Bengal Invitational, with a string of personal bests, dominant finishes, and top-50 NCAA marks to set the tone for their home meet.
 
Sprints and Hurdles Shine Early
Anise Becker wasted no time making her presence known, posting a 13.86 in the 100m hurdles prelims to secure a second-place finish. She followed that with a stellar 59.93 in the 400m hurdles prelims—a new PR that keeps her 4^th all-time in ISU history.
 
Alex Conner delivered one of the biggest highlights of the day, blazing to a 10.35 in the 100m prelims to take first place. The mark is a personal best, ranks 4^th all-time in ISU history, and slots him 62^nd in the NCAA West Region. He wasn't done there—later, Conner dropped an electric 20.63 in the 200m prelims, another PR that now ranks him 3^rd all-time at ISU and 47^th in the West Region.
 
Other notable marks included the 100m where Meya Young (12.60) and Scarlet Arredondo Sosa (13.00) both recorded PRs. Arredondo Sosa also had a strong showing in the long jump, hitting 5.39m (17'8.25") for 5^th place and another PR.
 
In the men's hurdles, Tom Stoelken ran a PR of 15.02 in the 110mH prelims to finish 3^rd overall.
 
Middle Distance Excellence
On the track, Kamber Smith took home the win in the women's 1500m with a time of 4:42.59, while Sam Jeppsen clocked a 3:56.99 for 4^th place in the men's 1500m.
 
Field Event Standouts and Record Chases
In the field, the Bengal throws group was again a force. Kait Ward took first place in the hammer throw at 55.80m, while Zoie Kessinger (49.98m) and Laura Young (47.73m) each earned back-to-back PRs for the second consecutive week.
 
In the women's javelin, Katelyn Dickemore launched a monster 48.88m (160'4") to take first. The throw is a career best, ties her for 2^nd all-time in ISU history, and currently ranks #52 in the NCAA and #28 in the West Region.
 
Elliotte Stockham continued her stellar outdoor season, clearing 4.05m (13'3.5") in the pole vault for a third-place finish. On the men's side, Chris Lupkes recorded a PR in the hammer throw at 49.43m (162'2"), while Adam Jones hit a PR of 56.10m (184') in the javelin for fourth place.
 
Jumpers Holding Their Own
Kaila Mederios added to her strong season, leaping 6.02m (19'9") in the long jump to secure second place. On the men's side, Kaiden Lee finished fourth in the long jump with a 6.79m (22'3.5") mark.
  What's Next
Day 2 promises more action as finals begin and top Bengals look to finish strong at their home invitational. Senior recognition begins at 10:30 and events start at 11:00. Stay tuned for more record-breaking action from Davis Field.