The University of Wyoming track and field team opened the indoor season with 13 titles at Wyoming Open Power Meet on Saturday in the War Memorial Fieldhouse.
Senior Jake Shanklin highlighted the very impressive first day, as he picked up just where he left off from a year ago. Shanklin finished the 2007 indoor season at the NCAA Championships, where he earned All-America honors with his 11th-place finish in the 35lb-weight throw. On Saturday, he provisionally qualified for the NCAAs again with his 69-foot 11-inch toss in the weight throw.
His counterpart, sophomore Amanda Aimone, also won the 20lb-weight throw for the Cowgirls and entered the Top 10 all-time in Wyoming history with her throw of 60-1/2.
“This was huge for Jake to get right back on the horse and qualify for the NCAA’s in the first meet of the year,” said head coach Don Yentes. “Overall, I was very happy with the way we competed today, if we can continue to progress with our young talent we will be very good.”
Along with Aimone, leading the talent was Laramie freshman Stephen Michel, who took the title in the triple jump (49-6 1/2 and in the 55-meter dash (6.37 seconds). Michel also finished second in the long jump behind sophomore Jeremiah James, who moved into fifth all-time in UW history with his long jump of 24-7. Michel wrote his name in the record books as well with the 10th best long jump (24-3/4) and his triple jump on Saturday.
For the Cowgirls, junior Johnna Jeffries (high jump), freshman Alisha Reaser (pole vault), junior Jennifer Schmitz (55-meter hurdles), freshman Chantel Bernabo (200-meter) and junior Andrea Frary (400-meter) all walked away with the titles in their respective events.
“This was a great experience for our young kids to see what a college meet is like and learn how to prepare themselves for their events,” said Yentes.
Up next for the Cowboys and Cowgirls will be the Big 12/MWC Challenge in Lincoln, Neb., on Jan. 24.
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