Utah State Track and Field Jumps into Outdoor Season March 20

Utah State [University] men's and women's track and field teams head to the Willie Williams Classic hosted by the University of Arizona on Friday and Saturday, March 20-21. This will be the Aggies first outdoor action of the 2009 season.

"It's always nice to be outdoors," veteran USU head coach Gregg Gensel said. "It's been a long winter, and we have had a good indoor season. But it’s always nice to get outside."

 

The first events on Friday begin at 6:45 p.m. with the 400m hurdles. Saturday's action begins at 9 a.m. with the hammer throw and the final event, the shot put, is scheduled to start at 8 p.m.

 

Last week, USU's had two athletes earn All-American honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships for the first time since 2002, in senior John Strang (heptathlon) and sophomore Clint Silcock (high jump).

 

"We try to focus on our outdoor season so it's a great feeling to get outside and run on our outdoor track. We are excited for our first outdoor meet this weekend." Gensel said.

 

At the 2008 Western Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships, USU's men placed second overall while the women tabbed fourth. The Aggies are returning six WAC outdoor champions this season including sophomore Chio Lopez (5,000m), John Strang (decathlon), junior Steve Strickland (3,000m steeplechase), senior Katie Thatcher (400m hurdles), senior Keith Williams (400m hurdles) and junior Heath Wing (10,000m).

 

At the WAC Indoor Championships, the men took second-place and the women placed fourth. The men took four event titles and sophomore Erin Stratton took two for the women.

Additional Aggie sports news is available at the Athletics homepage Web site.