MOSCOW, Idaho. – Eastern Washington delivered an outstanding performance at the Lauren McClusky Memorial, totaling 21 new personal records (PRs) and 15 additions to the EWU all-time lists. The women led the way with 14 PRs and 12 all-time marks, highlighted by
Diana Fernandez claiming the lone school record of the meet by winning the 600 meters and breaking her own record.
"What a two-day meet," said Director of Track and Field / Cross Country
Erin Tucker. "Going down to Moscow is always a mixed bag since it's a down-and-back road trip, and we handled it really well. Look at all the PRs, top-10 new additions, top-10 conference marks, and one school record. We could say two, as
Owen Higgins broke his own 600m record running unattached. Diana destroyed her own 600m record by over a second and still has more in the tank. Her 400m next week should be fun."
Days 1 & 2
Ella Seelhoff set the tone for the Eagles on day one, finishing third in the pentathlon with 3,495 points to move into fourth on EWU's all-time list. She recorded PRs in four of the five events, beginning with a third-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles (9.02). Seelhoff followed with an eighth-place showing in the shot put (9.57m / 31-4.75), a second-place clearance in the high jump (1.61m / 5-3.25), and a fourth-place finish in the long jump (5.44m / 17-10.25). She capped the competition with a third-place run in the 800 meters (2:32.81).
"Let's start with the multis," Tucker said. "Ella and Pry'nce came down on Thursday and decided they wanted to PR in almost every event, on the way to being top-five in the pentathlon for Ella and top-six in the heptathlon for Pry'nce. Congrats to both of them — they just let the entire conference know who they are."
Pry'nce Millman turned in a strong showing in the heptathlon. He opened with a third-place finish in the 60 meters (7.08) and won the long jump with a PR of 7.05m (23-1.75). Millman added a fifth-place effort in the shot put (10.89m / 35-8.75) and placed fifth in the high jump to close day one. On day two, he notched PRs in the 60-meter hurdles (9.01) and pole vault (4.10m / 13-5.25), then finished fourth in the 1,000 meters (2:51.65). His 4,949-point total placed him second overall and sixth on EWU's all-time list.
On the men's side,
Alex Blecha moved to third on the EWU all-time list in the pole vault after winning with a clearance of 5.11m (16-9.25), while
Andrew Strawn finished second at 4.45m (14-7.25). Javin Livas recorded a PR in the weight throw, placing fourth with a mark of 16.97m (55-8.25).
"We didn't have a lot of events that day, but the weight throwers were not done dropping bombs from last week," Tucker said. "Coach Maj is priming that group for something special. Javin had a big PR in the weight, and we know there's more there."
The women were led in the field by
Suzi Woodall, who matched her PR and the No. 2 mark in EWU history by clearing 4.20m (13-9.25) to win the pole vault.
Breauna Erickson and
Josie Anselmo followed with second- and third-place finishes to complete the sweep.
"Our jumpers had themselves a weekend," Tucker said. "That group had over eight PRs. Coach Jo loves this venue, and they didn't disappoint. We told you last week Chica wanted to join that 40-foot club, and I wasn't wrong. We now have two women in the same season over 40 feet — that's never happened here before."
Day 3
Eastern Washington closed the meet strong on the final day, as the women added 10 more marks to the EWU all-time list, including a school record. Fernandez broke her own 600-meter record with a winning time of 1:33.37.
In the sprints,
Judith Koumedzina placed second in the 60 meters (7.53) to move into third all-time, while
Gilana Wollman finished fifth (7.67) to tie for seventh. Koumedzina also moved into the top three all-time in the 200 meters.
"I think we have some sprinters again," Tucker said. "The first fours of the year didn't disappoint, and we're just getting started. The women's 60m executed exactly what we planned. Judith jumped into the top three, and G tied for seventh. There's more to go."
Maddy Shekhawat captured the win in the 60-meter hurdles (7.81), continuing his strong start to the season.
"Maddy is Maddy in the hurdles," Tucker said. "It's Maddy versus Madhvendra every race. He hasn't put a full race together yet, but it's coming. It's coming."
In the middle distances,
Lexi Meyer won the 800 meters in 2:13.00, moving into third on EWU's all-time list, while
Rhiannon Davies placed second.
"Coach K has our 800-and-up group feeling great," Tucker said. "Lexi opened up 11 seconds faster than last year and is only two seconds off her outdoor PR. Pay attention — she's not done. And Rhi PR'd in her first 800 of the year. Watch out for her too."
Sara Sanders won the mile, followed by
Nattie Ruzauskas in second.
"Great job by Sara soloing her mile and Natty coming on strong," Tucker added. "Great opener for them. I can't wait to see what they do next month."
On the men's side,
Merci Migani won the long jump with a PR of 7.46m (24-5.75), moving into third all-time, while
Nic Cunningham recorded a PR of 14.65m (48-0.75) in the triple jump.
"Our guy Nic decided he wanted to be in the 47-foot club, but chose the 48-foot club instead," Tucker said. "Not to be outdone, Merci took the conference lead in the long jump, Samarra jumped into the 19-foot club, and Gilana hit her best mark in almost two years. Kudos to the jumpers — they had themselves a weekend."
Eastern Washington will now turn its attention to recovery and preparation for its next competition.
"That's all for now," Tucker said. "We'll rest the next few days and get ready for another home meet at The Podium on Saturday. Go Eags!"
New EWU All-Time Top Ten
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