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Northern Arizona dropped down to sea level and put on an impressive show in Seattle at the Husky Classic. The Lumberjacks set seven NCAA provisional marks from both the men and women.
Curtis Durocher continued his strong 2009 campaign by improving his weight throw mark for the fourth straight week. His throw of 65-11.0 ranks him 17th nationally and fourth in Big Sky history. The Lumberjack’s success was continued in distance running, with four men setting provisional times in the 5,000 meters and two women setting provisional times in the 3,000 meters.
Sophomore Ben Ashkettle had the best time for the men and junior Veronica Pohl lead the women. Ashkettle’s time of 13:55.27 is 14th best nationally and fourth in Big Sky history. Pohl ran the fourth fastest time in Big Sky history, with a time of 9:18.56. She also ranks 22nd in the nation.
Sacramento State’s Ericka Violett improved on a strong performance from last week. The junior set two NCAA provisional marks over the weekend in the pole vault and the long jump. The height of 12-11.75 places her sixth in Big Sky history and the long jump of 20-0.25 is ninth best.
Big Sky Athletes of the Week:
Women’s Track
Veronica Pohl, Northern Arizona
Junior - Cologne, Germany
Pohl ran the fourth fastest 3,000 meters in Big Sky Conference history at the Husky Classic in Seattle. Her time provisional time of 9:18.56 was less than four seconds behind an NCAA automatic qualifier of 9:15.00. She leads the Big Sky and ranks 22nd in the nation.
Others Nominated:
Ashley Turner, ISU; Amber Nickelson, EWU; Katrina Drennen, UM; Autumn Domitrovich, MSU;
Abby Weedor, NC; Quiana Jackson, PSU; Renisha Robinson, SAC; Natalie Haws, WSU
Men’s Track
Ben Ashkettle, Northern Arizona
Sophomore - Melbourne, Australia
Ashkettle ran a 13:55.27 5,000 meter race at the Husky Classic in Seattle Saturday. His time is an NCAA provisional qualifier and is fourth in Big Sky history. Less than 13 seconds off of the NCAA automatic standard, Ashkettle ranks 14th in the country this season.
Others Nominated:
Paul Limpf, EWU; Zach Barret, ISU; Jesse Loether, UM; Nick Atwood, MSU;
Terrence McGaughy, NC; Jesse Fassler, PSU; Ronald Brookins, SAC; Taylor Pebley, WSU
Women’s Field
Ericka Violett, Sacramento State
Junior - Shingle Springs, Calif.
Violett recorded two NCAA provisional marks in the pole vault and long jump at the Husky Classic in Seattle. The junior pole vaulted 12-11.75 to break her own school record and sixth in Big Sky history. She also had a Big Sky top ten long jump of 20-00.25 and bettered her conference leading time in the 60-hurdles by running 8.66.
Others Nominated:
Shene Davis, EWU; Sasha Buylova, ISU; Kelsey Smith, UM; Allison Jones, MSU;
Shelby McCray, NAU; Meaghan Green, NC; Alex Filiaga, WSU
Men’s Field
Curtis Durocher, Northern Arizona
Senior - Belle River, Ont.
Durocher once again improved his NCAA provisional mark in the men’s weight throw Saturday missing the NCAA automatic mark by 4-7.50. The throw of 65-11.00 places him fourth in Big Sky history and moves him up to 17th in the country.
Others Nominated:
Cameron Moore, EWU; Sam Pierson, ISU; Casey Clausen, MSU; Philip Burks, SAC; Adam Ball, WSU