by Tiara Pajimola
The men’s track and field team had its first official outdoor meet at the Willamette Opener last Friday in Salem, Oregon.
Senior captain Carter Comito continued his dominance winning both shot put and discus. Despite his two wins, Comito still sees room for improvement.
“Discus didn’t go as well as I was hoping, but it’s early in the season so hopefully I can fix some things,” Comito said. “I’d like to throw over 190’ next outdoor meet and over 200’ by the end of the season.”
Sophomore Chase Wright took first in the javelin with a throw of 208′ 2.25″. Senior Chibron Tomeo won pole vault with a 14’11” clearance. Junior Keegan Shea won hammer marked at 179′ 7.75″. Junior Jonathan Hoff won the long jump with a jump of 21′ 6.75”.
Despite straining his quad last week at the inter squad meet, senior captain Shannon Winant took fourth in the long jump with a qualifying mark of 20’7.25’’ and then first place in the triple with a jump of 44’3.25’’.
“I’ve been struggling with hamstring injuries so I can’t go hard in long jump which is frustrating, but I jumped two feet further [Friday] than I did at this meet last year,” Winant said about his triple jump win. “I saw a lot of things that were very encouraging at Willamette so I was pleased with my performance.”
The same success was spread in the high jump with a Whitworth claiming the top four spots as each athlete cleared 6’5’’. Junior Peter Delap took first with the least amount of scratches.
“It was great to high jump with three of my teammates and see everybody jumping well.” Delap said. “Three of us had big pr’s [personal records] in the event.”
On the track, the 4×100 relay team consisting of sophomore Matt Landon, Hoff, junior Tyler Guinn, and freshman Alex Harlund came away with a win with a time of 43.34. In the 10,000 meter run the Bucs took first and second place with senior Tim Hill at 33:53.27 and sophomore Trent Dudley at 34:30.52.
Many of the competitors seemed pleased with their performances and excited to compete in their first outdoor meet of the 2013 season.
“It feels great to get outdoors,” Winant said. “It was a long indoor season and it’s just good to get outside with good weather.”
The outdoor season will continue at their next meet where the whole team will be able to compete.
“During indoor we don’t see as many teammates competing,” Winant said. “Now we get to show the newcomers our philosophy and make a statement to the rest of the conference.”
Only senior Chibron Tomeo and senior Frank Lima traveled to UW for the Last Chance Meet. Tomeo competed in pole vault tying for ninth having cleared 15’4.25”. Lima competed in high jump and also took ninth place with a jump of 6’7”.
Whitworth will now prepare for the next meet at Spokane Falls Community College for the Dusty Lane Open on March 16. Comito will travel to Naperville, Illinois this Friday for the NCAA Division III Indoor Nationals.
Contact Tiara Pajimola at tpajimola16@my.whitworth.edu