Sunday, April 8, 2012

Broncos Successful at BYU Triangular

USC didn't field their best team, but Boise State should be proud of beating the Trojans out for second place in the BYU/Boise State/USC Triangular track and field meet yesterday.


Many of the USC stars were at another meet for the #4 USC women and #8 Trojan men, and the Broncos took advantage with a second place finish in the men's competition.  The Boise State women still finished third.  Host BYU won with 169 points for the men and 148 for the women; the Cougar women are ranked #24 while the men are #26.


But #37 Boise State did just fine, thank you, with two wins.  Justin Malnes won the 110-meter hurdles with a career-best 14.48.  Will Lohman uncorked a career-best throw of 189'-1.25" to win the hammer throw for Coach J.W. Hardy.  Racquel Jones won the women's long jump (18' 10") while the Bronco 4x400-meter relay team was victorious with a time of 3:49.50.  


Against this level of competition, a top-three finish is commendable, and Boise State also had several of those.  Lohman had a spectacular day, adding to his hammer win with second place finishes in the shot put (56-0.75) and discus (161-1) while Trevor Kraychir finished third in the hammer (187' 2.50").  Eric Capelle finished third in the 100-meters (10.80) and helped the 4x100-meter relay team finish second with a time of 41.11.  Manoah Wesson completed the 400-meters in third with a time of 48.10 and helped the 4x400-meter relay team take second in 3:12.39.  Rolando Trammel crossed the finish line with a second-place in the 400-meter hurdles (51.57) while Drew O'donoghue-McDonald finished second in the 1500 (3:52.79) and Scott Foley was third (3:55.27).  Edidiong Essien finished second in the long jump with a leap of 21' 9.50" and Chris Manuele appears to finally be giving the Broncos a presence in the pole vault with a mark of 15' 7", good for second place.  


For the women, Alyssa Osai achieved the third-best throw in school history in the hammer with a throw of 193' 10.75".  Mele Vaisima finished second in the shot put (44-6.25) and third in the discus (144-0.25).  Destiny Gammage is starting to live up to the high hope among Bronco fans when she was recruited, recording a second in the 200 meters (24.55).  Megan Kelly finished third in the 400 (56.36) and Danielle Valentine was third in the pole vault, clearing 12'-2.50".  


Next weekend, Boise State splits up, with appearances at the UTEP Invite, the Utah Spring Classic and the Eastern Oregon Invite.

Final NCAA Regional Gymnastics Scores

Team VAULT BARS BEAM FLOOR Totals

UCLA 
49.45 49.075 49.225 49.475 197.225
 Maryland 48.875 48.65 47.975 48.85 194.40
Arkansas 49.20 49.225 49.175 49.225 196.825
Boise State 49.10 48.975 48.625 49.275 196.05
Missouri 48.775 48.625 48.775 49.25 195.45 
New Hampshire 
48.875 48.45 47.675 48.90 193.90

Once again, Boise State learned that it's not going to get the scores it deserves at Regionals unless they are already in the Top 12.  Lesson learned last year and again this year.