Thursday, June 9, 2011

Eetu Viitala at NCAA National Track Championships

Eetu Viitala of Boise State jumped 23-feet, 10 3/4 inches at the Championships in Iowa, which puts him in 10th place after one jump.  He will need to be in the Top 9 to advance to the finals.

Update at 5:05 p.m.--(no other media outlets or websites have reported this information.)  Eetu fouled on his second attempt.  He has just one jump left to get at least 24-4 1/2.

Update at 5:21--Viitaala jumped 23-11 3/4, bettering his first mark but still short of 9th place.  He finishes 11th in the nation.

Alex Nelson 15th in the Nation in Hammer Throw

After a delay, competition is underway at the NCAA National Track & Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.  Boise State's Alex Nelson finished 15th in the hammer throw after three throws.  The Top 9 qualified for finals.

Nelson had a mark of 203-feet, 9-inches, which was less than 3 feet away from All-America status (8th place).  The #8 competitor has a throw if 216-8. 

Boise State's Volleyball Schedule for 2011

Nelson, Viitala Represent Boise State at NCAA National Track Championships

Alex Nelson and Eetu Viitala are ready to compete this afternoon at the NCAA National Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

Nelson is entered in the hammer, which begins at 2 p.m. Mountain Time, while Viitala will compete in the long jump at 4:35.

Boise State needs to score points (a top eight finish) to move up from #70 in the Learfield Cup Standings.  The Learfield Cup measures success throughout the athletic department and awards a trophy to the school that finishes first.  Last year, Boise State beat several schools from the Pac-10, Big 10, Big 12 and others (including Utah and Colorado, the two schools that the Pac-10 chose to invite for conference expansion).

Stay informed on this blog this afternoon--you will no doubt hear news of Nelson and Viitala's performance first on Blue Through and Through.

UPDATE:  Due to weather, the Championships were delayed more than an hour.  Later scheduled events will most likely be delayed as well.