Two National Marks Improve at Vandal Collegiate Open
MOSCOW, Idaho – Luke Mathews improved his NCAA Division III Indoor national qualifying mark in the heptathlon and both of Whitworth's indoor pole vault records fell on Saturday afternoon at the Vandal Collegiate Open.
Mathews improved his score in the heptathlon by more than 100 points with a mark of 4,467, winning the event on Saturday. He now ranks 11th on the NCAA Div. III national list. He had a strong 60 meter hurdles and pole vault (13'-3.5") on Saturday.
Also improving his national qualifying mark on Saturday was Carter Comito, who finished second in the shot put with a season-best mark of 56'-10.25". Sam Wright was fifth with a toss of 50'-7.25".
Chibron Tomeo broke his own Whitworth indoor record in the pole vault by clearing 15'-7". Likewise, Nikita Stilwill broke her own Pirate indoor mark when she cleared 10'-6" in the women's pole vault.
Chistina Dobbins had another strong meet, running to a time of 9.77 in the 60 hurdles and high jumping 5'-2.25" to tie teammate Jheri Gates for third place in that event.
Whitworth's indoor season is now mostly complete. A small handful of Pirates will compete at the University of Washington Last Chance indoor meet on March 3rd, while the rest of the team turns its attention to the outdoor season which will begin the same day at the Willamette Opener in Salem, Oregon.
