The University of Idaho Vandals track and field team competed in several meets across California, achieving multiple school records and top finishes, according to an April 18 announcement.
These results are significant for the Vandals program, as athletes set new marks in both sprinting and jumping events. The competitions included the Pacific Coast Invitational on Thursday and the Beach Invitational on Friday and Saturday, both held in Long Beach.
A standout performance came from a sophomore sprinter who ran personal bests in the 100-meter (10.18 seconds) and 200-meter (20.58 seconds) races at the Pacific Coast Invitational, earning bronze and silver medals respectively. These times placed him second all-time in Idaho school history for both events. In women’s sprints, another athlete finished among the top ten in the 100 meters with a time of 11.56 seconds, setting a new Idaho record. A graduate student also secured gold by tying for first place in the triple jump, while Francesca Cuccu tied for second place in the high jump.
At the Beach Invitational later that weekend, Ashley Hollenbeck Willems followed up with historic performances of her own—her time of 11.58 seconds in the women’s 100 meters ranked third all-time at Idaho and earned her second place at the meet; she also ran a 23.79-second 200 meters to move into second place on Idaho’s historical list for that event. In field events, Zywina finished third in long jump and second in triple jump; another Vandal won silver for Idaho men’s team in the 1500-meter race. The men’s relay squad posted their best time of 3:16.49 with contributions from freshmen, sophomores, and seniors.
Other Vandals participated elsewhere: At Azusa’s Bryan Clay Invite, one runner achieved her personal best (9:58.03) to finish top ten Thursday evening during the women’s steeplechase invite; meanwhile at University of La Verne Leo Invitational further east, another athlete placed fourth overall during Friday’s women’s 800-meter sprint event while Hodgson took sixth place one day before winning his Long Beach medal.
Looking ahead, Idaho Track & Field will compete next at Pullman’s Cougar Classic scheduled for April 24-25.
