UW track sets three marks

Three names were written in the record books, while numerous personal bests were set for the University of Wyoming track and field teams, as they split up and finished action at the Air Force Invitational and the Husky Invitational in Seattle.

For the Cowboys and Cowgirls that competed at the Husky Invite, they were led by sophomores Greg Miller and Taylor Kelting. Both Cowboys ran in the 5,000-meter run and set personal bests, as well as placing their names among the record books. Miller’s time of 14 minutes, 27.39 seconds was good for third-best all-time in Wyoming history, while Kelting’s 14:36.08 was not far behind as he jumps into the sixth spot.

“Greg and Taylor both ran very solid races against some very good competition and gained some much needed experience today,” said assistant coach Randy Cole.

Along with Miller and Kelting, senior Jake Shanklin found himself at the top of the list in the 35-pound weight throw for the third time this season, with his toss of 71-feet, 1/2 inch. Shanklin went up against the 2008 USA Champion Kibwe Johnson and ended up out-throwing him by three feet. Fellow senior Sam Lambert finished just behind Shanklin in fourth place in the weight throw.

“Jake continues to gain confidence with every meet he competes in and is really starting to throw well as we near the end of the season when we want him to peak and throw his best,” said assistant coach Paul Barrett.

As for the Cowgirls in Seattle, junior Emily Higgins re-wrote her name in the record books as she improved on her school record in the 3,000-meter run with her time of 9:42.25, two seconds faster than her previous record.

“Emily ran very well and we look for her to continue her success once we get to conference this season,” said Cole. “This meet was very beneficial for our kids to experience as the University of Washington has such a great atmosphere and great competition as we approach conference this year.”

The atmosphere was not the same for the Cowboys and Cowgirls in Colorado Springs, as the Cadets of Air Force had power surges delay the meet for three hours. Once competition resumed the ‘Pokes ran very well under the lights.

The Cowboys were led by sophomore Jeremiah James, who for the third time this season, won the long jump event with his leap of 24-3/4. He was followed by junior John Alderson in 10th-place.

“Jeremiah is really starting to get things together and is really becoming a solid point-getter for us,” said head coach Don Yentes.

As for the Cowgirls, freshman Chantel Bernabo ran in the finals of the 60-meter dash and finished with her personal best time of 7.94 and an 11th-place finish. Bernabo also qualified and ran in the 200-meter dash and once again finished in 11th-place. Senior Nikki Peterson qualified for the finals in the 800-meter dash Friday and held onto her eighth-place start with her time of 2:25.05.

“We had some very good performances both here in Colorado Springs and in Seattle as we prepare for conference in a couple weeks,” said Yentes. “We will still need some players to step up for us and perform well but we have the talent.”

The Cowboys and Cowgirls will be at bhome on Friday in the Shine Invitational at the War Memorial Fieldhouse in Laramie, before heading to conference Feb. 26-28 in Colorado Springs.