This weekend the Thunderbirds are headed back to Flagstaff, Arizona to compete at the NAU Mountain T’s Invitational. The meet will run from Friday, February 2 through Saturday, February 3.
Last Time Out
The last time the Thunderbirds competed, the distance team brought the thunder in Seattle at the UW Invitational. Many athletes went above and beyond for the team, coming home with new records for SUU.
Among the athletes that competed in Seattle, Mike Tate landed himself second in the school records in the 3,000-meter with a time of 7:56.43. Kasey Knevelbaard also placed fifth in the records with a time of 8:06.55 in the 3,000-meter.
On the women’s side Angie Nickerson came in strong, placing herself third in SUU history with a time of 16:41.5 in the 5,000-meter. Madison Fruchey ranked herself in school records in two different events. Fruchey placed sixth in the records in the 5,00-meter with a time of 16:55.6. She also placed eighth in the records with a time of 9:55.52 in the 3,000-meter.
Athletes To Watch This Week
Men’s Team
Tre James (60-meter & 200-meter) – Earning Big Sky Athlete of the week this past week, James is set to compete again at NAU. Currently holding the school record in both the 60-meter and the 200-meter, he is also ranked as one of the top athletes in the NCAA in his events. He is looking to push his limits a little farther this weekend and come home with another record setting time.
Kasey Knevelbaard (Mile) – Knevelbaard has shown astounding performances for SUU this indoor season. Last week, he ran the mile in 4:00.15 placing him sixth in conference records and eleventh in the nation. He is excited to compete again this weekend.
Devon Montgomery (60-meter hurdles & 200-meter) – Montgomery is the record holder at SUU in the 60-meter hurdle with a time of 8.02. Last outdoor season he also represented the Thunderbirds at the NCAA West Regionals in Austin, Texas. He is looking forward to competing this weekend.
Erik Ostrom (Heptathlon) – Leading the Thunderbirds in the heptathlon, Ostrom holds a score of 4,528 in the event. This score currently holds him seventh in the school records. He is ready to compete this weekend and hopefully score higher in his event.
Jordan Porcaro (Weight Throw) – Porcaro has been continually improving this season. The last time he competed, Porcaro landed himself fifth in the SUU records with a throw of 52’ 5 ½”. He is expected to do well this weekend at NAU.
Women’s Team
Carly Dalton (60-meter hurdles & 200-meter) – Currently holding seventh place in the SUU records for the 400-meter hurdles, Dalton is ready to compete this weekend in the 60-meter hurdles and in the 200-meter. Her fastest time in the 60-meter hurdles is 8.89 and she is looking to improve at NAU.
Peyton Green (60-meter, 200-meter & 400-meter) – Green is the holds eighth place in the 400-meter in SUU history with a time of 55.66. This weekend she is looking to push that time and rank higher in the school records.
Jentry Skidmore (Pentathlon & Long Jump) – Skidmore currently holds second place in school records for the long jump with a mark of 19’ ¾”. As only a freshman for SUU, she has already shown that she is beneficial for the team. Skidmore is hoping to push her long jump mark a little farther this weekend at NAU.
Sinclair Watson (60-meter & 200-meter) – As a junior for SUU, Watson has been a force to be reckoned with this season. Currently holding the fourth place in the 60-meter at a time of 7.73, Watson is looking to improve that time this weekend.
Words From Coach Houle
On what the competition will look like this weekend…
“As we go to NAU this weekend we are looking at some of our toughest competition,” Eric Houle, head coach of the track and field team, commented on the upcoming competition. “There are going to be a lot of schools there that are going to have us fighting, but that is what we need. Our athletes need to have that competition in order to evaluate where they are at and continue to improve.”
On what to expect from top athletes…
“As we look at athletes like Tre James and Sinclair Watson, it’s not always that they are going to step on the track and get a new personal best. However, if they do, we won’t be surprised,” Coach Houle said.
On what to see in the field events…
“They are all so young,” he said. “They have so much time with us. Considering we are in a tough conference for field events, they are doing extremely well and I’m looking forward to seeing results from this weekend.”
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Story By
SUU Athletics Strategic Communications
