Tacoma, WA - Despite less than ideal conditions, several Thunderbird Track athletes set personal bests at the Pacific Lutheran Invite in Tacoma on Saturday.

 

Lucas Martin provided the highlight with a first place finish in the pole vault with a height of 13 feet 6 inches. "It was a good day for Lucas," commented coach Willie Steele. "He'd been looking much better in practice and his endurance is improving. This was a good confidence builder going forward."

Several others fared well in field events. For the ladies, Mindy McCullough (pictured) leaped to a season best 13 feet 8 inches in the long jump to place 6th in the event. Fatina Santiago heaved the shot a season best 30 feet 8 inches, good for 7th place. The men saw Justin Johnson leap 18 feet 2 inches for a 3rd place in the long jump. Ken Counts made the finals in the shot put with a persoinal best throw of 28 feet 1 inch. 

 

Joseph Witzig won his heat in both the 800 and 1500 meter runs, with a 5th place finish overall in the 800. A sprint of 11.97 seconds from Chris Smerke placed him 7th in the 100 meter dash, and a time of 24.02 placed him 7th in the 200 meter dash as well.

 

"I was very pleased with the performaces today," said Steele. "The kids competed well against some top competition, especially given the bad weather. They are committed to improving every day, and the results today were a result of their hard work."

 

Complete Results