Feb. 1, 2014
Seattle, Wash.-----Fourteen entrants made San Jose State University athletics history as the first competitors for the Spartans' start of women's track and field as an intercollegiate athletics program at the UW Invitational held at the Dempsey Indoor Track.
Three San Jose State athletes ran the 60-meter dash and 11 competed in the mile run. Freshman Madiha Reza of San Jose can take claim as the first Spartan to cross a finish line in women's track and field when she finished sixth in the first heat of the 60-meter dash in 9.35.
Freshman Taylor Griffinof San Jose recorded the fastest 60-meter time for the Spartans at 8.29 in the sixth heat to finish 53rd overall.
"A lot of heads turned when they saw the San Jose State track and field uniform," said Spartans head coach Jeff Petersmeyer. The last time San Jose State competed in track and field was May 1988 when the men's team finished fifth out of seven teams at the Big West Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Logan, Utah. "Many did not know that San Jose State is back in the track and field business.
"A lot of people were excited to see us back."
Junior Rebecca Garcia from Anaheim was San Jose State's top finisher in the mile run placing 31st with a time of 5:15.11. Freshman Lalida Maokhamphiouwas 33rd in 5:15.48.
"It really was exciting. At first, I was kind of afraid, but once I was on the track I settled down," said Garcia, who is the 2013-14 president of the San Jose State University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). "I love representing San Jose State. You could tell we were definitely noticed. The program is only going to build from here."
"Rebecca and and Lalida ran really well for us in the mile. That will give them a lot of confidence going forward."
San Jose State's next indoor meet will be Sunday, February 16, at the Run for the Dream Invitational at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif.
UW Invitational
Dempsey Indoor Track, Seattle, Wash.
February 1, 2014
60 meter dash - 1, Geronne Black, unattached, 7.43. 2, NyEma Sims, unattached, 7.44. 3, Jenae Gennette, unattached, 7.51. San Jose State finishers: 53, Taylor Griffin, 8.29. 56, Madiha Raza, 9.35. 57, Raven Adams, 9.50.
1 mile run - 1, Kristen Carter, unattached, 4:56.48. 2, Regan Yen, Trinty Western, 4:56.40. 3, Ashley Hawks, Southern Utah, 4:58.68. San Jose State finishers: 31, Rebecca Garcia, 5:15.11. 33, Lalida Maokhamphiou, 5:15.48. 41, Marissa Buckley, 5:33.39. 43, Jenay Jauregui, 5:34.59. 44, Karina Nunes, 5:36.07. 45, Melanie Fujiwara, 5:37.05. 48, Breanna Garcia, 5:40.77. 49, Nina Sassano, 5:53.38. 50, Allison Kimura, 5:53.69. 51, Diana Orozco, 6:12.08. No place, Jessica Stacey, did not finish.