Seattle University track and field stunned at yet another outdoor meet this season.
Friday and Saturday, the Redhawks competed at WAR 9 in Spokane, Wash. Multiple student-athletes placed in the top three in their events.
“The team looked good today,” head coach Trisha Steidl said. “I saw people taking their preparations seriously and competing to the best of their ability.”
Shaddye Melu and Mandie Maddux yet again broke outdoor school records.
“School records are always exciting,” Steidl said. “More so the marks set become a higher and higher caliber. The progress of the school records and the program as a whole are exciting to me as a coach, and exciting to the members of the team. It pushes everyone to ask more of themselves, which helps individuals hit marks and times they may not have otherwise achieved.”
Melu broke his own outdoor school record in the high jump with a 2.15 meter (7’-0.5”) jump and a first-place finish. This jump should be enough to secure a ticket to Nationals, according to assistant coach Chad Pharis.
“Shaddye came into today with a focus on securing his ticket to the first round of Nationals,” Pharis said. “He can now go into the rest of the season without that pressure, and will likely be able to capitalize on that relaxed feeling.”
Melu also finished in first place in the 400 meter dash with a time of 48.24.
Janzen Aguilar-Nelson finished right behind Melu in the 400 with a time of 48.68.
Aguilar-Nelson also finished in second place in the 200 meter dash with a time of 21.94.
“His practice reps have shown his capability so it is very exciting to see it start to be showcased at the meets,” Pharis said. “He is just getting started, and has his eyes set on some fast times coming soon.”
Maddux broke the outdoor school record in the javelin – a record that’s been in place for 10 years – with a throw of 40.18 meters (131'-10"), giving her a sixth-place finish.
“Mandie looked very strong early in the javelin,” Pharis said. “Her first throw in the finals was a true breakout throw. She is really starting to learn the little things about the javelin, and will likely continue to improve on her now-current school record.”
She also tied for third in the high jump – an event she currently holds the school record in – with a height of 1.6 meters (5’-3”).
Maddux broke her personal record in the 100 meter high hurdles, as well, with a time of 15.02 and a sixth-place finish.
Lila Rice had a first-place finish in the 5,000 meter run by blowing out her past personal record in the event with a new time of 17:40.43.
“Lila ran a huge personal record and a gutsy race today,” Steidl said. “It was great seeing her not only compete against others, but also really challenging herself.”
Kyla Danforth also had a good race in the event, finishing in third place with a time of 18:03.21.
“Kyle put herself in a great position and raced the smartest and strongest I’ve seen from her yet,” Steidl said.
The last Redhawk with a Top-3 finish was Alyssa Gonzales, who took third place in the 100 meter dash with a time of 12.61.
Next up, Seattle U track and field travels to the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, Calif. April 14-15, while some of the team is at the Beach Invite in Long Beach, Calif. on April 16.
Other Redhawk notables:
Baxter Arguinchona finished the 1,500 meter run with a new personal record and a 12th-place finish with a time of 3:59.76.
“Baxter had a confident, strong race,” Steidl said. “He hasn’t run a race this short in a long time, and approached it with maturity and tenacity.”
Johanna Erickson finished the 5,000 in fifth place with a time of 18:15.08.
“Johanna was by herself for a lot of her first track 5,000, and did a great job of maintaining composure and focus, as well as pushing herself to a solid time,” Steidl said. “She has come a long way this year.”