SDSU TRACK & FIELD SETS TWO NEW SCHOOL RECORDS IN SEASON OPENER

Bonnie Draxler beats her own record in pole vault and Nyjari McNeil sets new high mark for 600m

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

January 19, 2019 (Albuquerque) - The Aztecs wrapped up their first day of the 2019 indoor season at the Dr. Martin Luther King Invite at the Albuquerque Convention Center Friday evening. Freshman Nyjari McNeil highlighted the evening by setting a new school record in the 600m in her first collegiate race with a time of 1:30.22.

Also competing tonight was Bonnie Draxler who beat her own school record in the pole vault at the UCS Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nev. Draxler cleared 14-3.75 (4.36), which topped her mark of 14-1.25 set at last year’s Mountain West Championships. Draxler has pole vault school records for both indoor and outdoor.

McNeil, a highly-rated recruit from Reistertown, Md., beat the previous school record of 1:31.48 set by Ellison Grove in 2017.

Sophomore Sakura Roberson also made an impressive season debut in the 600, finishing in 1:32.32 for the fourth best time in school history.

The Aztecs began the day with the high jump, where Asia Smith was the top SDSU finisher, clearing 5-03.25. Hannah Taylor and Sara Absten both cleared 5-01.25 to tie for 18^th.

Freshman Vanessa Spizewski made her collegiate debut by clearing 16-08.50 in the long jump.

In the unseeded 400m dash, Maya Brosch took fifth, finishing in 59.01. Nia Collins clocked in at 59.80, good for eighth place in her collegiate debut.

Six Aztecs competed in the 200m dash with freshman Danae Dyer having the top time (24.21) and an eighth place finish. Callista Fletcher finished in ninth (24.50). Freshman Kasey Ebb ran a 25.46 and was followed by Lakin Hatcher (25.71), Tai McDonald (26.18) and Nia Collins (26.45).

Joining McNeil and Roberson in the 600 were four other Aztecs. Angela Wilson finished in 17^th (1:39.12) and Danielle Scott was right behind her (19^th; 1:39.64). Also running were Sara Absten (27^th; 1:45.45) and Asia Smith (31^st; 1:52.57).

THE NOTE

Nyjari McNeil and Bonnie Draxler both set a school records Friday evening. McNeil set a new record in the 600m in her first collegiate race. She finished in 1:30.22 to best Ellison Grove’s time of 1:31.48 set in 2017. Draxler broke her own school record in the pole vault, by clearing 14-3.75 (4.36), which topped her previous mark of 14-1.75.

UP NEXT

The Aztecs will continue the MLK Invite Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m. MT/8:30 a.m. PT. Additionally, five pole vaulters will be competing at the UCS Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nev.

UCS Pole Vault Summit

Reno, Nev.

Bonnie Draxler – 14-3.75 (4.36), (NEW SCHOOL RECORD)

Dr. Martin Luther King Invite (Top Finisher & SDSU Results)

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque Convention Center

200m Dash

1. Twanisha Terry (USC) – 23.31

8. Danae Dyer (SDSU) – 24.31

9. Callista Fletcher (SDSU) – 24.50

22. Kasey Ebb (SDSU) – 25.46

29. Lakin Hatcher (SDSU) – 25.71

37. Tai McDonald (SDSU) – 26.18

41. Nia Collins (SDSU) – 26.45

400m Dash (Unseeded)

1. Mia Franco (Cal State Fullerton) – 58.11

5. Maya Brosch (SDSU) – 59.01

8. Nia Collins (SDSU) – 59.80

600m Run

1. Jemina Russell (USC) – 1:29.25

2. Nyjari McNeil (SDSU) – 1:30.22 (NEW SCHOOL RECORD)

4. Sakura Roberson (SDSU) – 1:32.32 (No. 4 ALL-TIME AT SDSU)

17. Angela Wilson (SDSU) – 1.39.12

19. Danielle Scott (SDSU) – 1:39.64

27. Sara Absten (SDSU) – 1:45.45

31. Asia Smith (SDSU) – 1:52.57

Long Jump

1. Margaux Jones (USC) – 19-11.0 (6.07m)

23. Vanessa Spizewski (SDSU) – 16.08.50 (5.09m)

High Jump

1. Michelle Spires (Air Force Wcap) – 6-00.00 (1.83m)

T-7. Asia Smith (SDSU) – 5-03.25 (1.61m)

18. Hannah Taylor (SDSU) – 5-01.25 (1.56m)

19. Sara Absten (SDSU) – 5-01.25 (1.56m)

Friday results