Weber State's Jace Nye Won the 3,000m-steeplechase
Live Results
OGDEN, UTAH - After a small rain delay the 2010 Weber State Credit Union Big Sky Outdoor Track and Field Championship continued Friday. After eight events host Weber State stands atop the men’s standings with 55.5 points, followed closely by defending champion Northern Arizona with 54 points. On the women’s side the Lumberjacks have 43 points after six events. Weber State has 38, Eastern Washington finished with 35, and Idaho State has 31 to round out the top four.
The Wildcats started fast today getting a first and third place finish from Jace Nye and Brett Hales in the 3000m-steeplechase. Nye finished with a time of 9:02.66, while Hales finished at 9:09.12. Chris Struckman took second in the long jump with a distance of 23’ 7.75”. Struckman also took fourth in the high jump, while teammate Mike Staker took second with a height of 6-10.0.
Northern Arizona collected an impressive 29 points in the 10,000m run. The Lumberjacks had the top for finishers, led by Ahmed Osman. Osman is the defending champion in the event and finished with a raw time of 30:58.56. He was followed by Ben Ashkettle, Andrew Belus, and Diego Estrada. Javier Villreal took home gold in the shot put to add to the Lumberjacks’ point total.
For the second year Idaho State swept the medal stand in the pole vault. Sam Pierson won the event with a height of 17-7.5. Fellow Bengals Michael Arnold, Brad Silvester, and Clint Gossack filled out the top four spots.
The Northern Arizona women received gold medals from Nell Rojas in the 3,000m-steeplechase and Shelby McCray in the discus. Rojas has now won the steeplechase for the second straight year. The Lumberjacks also collected silver medals in the 10,000m from Kortnee Burton and Lauren Stuart in the hammer throw.
Eastern Washington’s Nicole Luckenbach won her second straight hammer throw title with a distance of 190-5. The Eagles also received medals from Shene Davis and Brianna Okoro in the long jump. Davis had a distance of 19-2.75, while Okoro had a jump of 18-10.75.
Jace Nye– Men’s 3,000 m Steeplechase Champion – Weber State
“I knew that I had a really good chance to win it if my race came together so I kind of felt a lot of pressure that I had to make it happen so it’s good to know that it was done.”
Nell Rojas - Women’s 3,000 m Steeplechase Champion – Northern Arizona
“Considering what a rough year I’ve had and it’s my last year, it feels good. I didn’t really come in here expecting to win it or really do much. I’m relieved and it feels really good.”
Sam Pierson – Men’s Pole Vault Champion – Idaho State (took top four positions in P.V.)
“We knew we had the potential to do it… When it actually unfolded, we were so stoked. I can honestly say it was one of the most fun pole vault competitions I’ve been in.”
Shelby McCray – Women’s Discus Champion – Northern Arizona
“It’s a great feeling, it’s my first medal for Big Sky, but defintey shooting for regionals, nationals at some point.”