ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—The Arizona State track and field teams opened competition at both the Don Kirby Elite Invite at the Albuquerque Convention Center and the Husky Classic at the Dempsey Indoor in Seattle, Wash., on Friday.
Redshirt senior Ryan Leslie set a personal best in the weight throw, clearing 18 meters for the first time with a mark of 18.80m (61-8.25). The mark moves him to No. 7 in the ASU indoor record book, tied with fellow redshirt senior Kyle Lillie, who threw the same distance at the New Mexico Team Invite on Jan. 31.
On the track, redshirt senior Devan Spann set a personal best in his debut in the 200m dash, running 20.82 for second in both his heat and overall. On the women’s side, junior Jasmine Gibbs also ran a personal best in her 200m dash debut, finishing in 24.61.
“The highlights today were definitely Devan Spann’s 20.82, which puts him at 11th in the country right now, and it gives us a little momentum going into the NCAA Championships,” Director of Track and Field Greg Kraft said. “Ryan Leslie had a personal best in three of his attempts in the weight throw, which is pretty amazing. It bodes well as he closes in on the next two meets. We have a lot to do tomorrow, but this was a good start for today.”
All three of ASU’s 400m dash runners set personal bests in the unseeded race, with junior Kiera Bulluck running 57.39, 16th overall. On the men’s side, junior Sterling Winston ran 49.38 for 13th overall, while freshman Ronny Hall won his heat with his new best time of 49.91.
In the men’s pole vault competition, redshirt junior Tanner Greeley set a season best clearance in the pole vault at 4.85m (15-11.00), good for fifth overall.
In the women’s weight throw, redshirt freshman Magdalyn Ewen finished fifth with a throw of 18.69m (61-4.00), while redshirt sophomore Ashley Weber took seventh at 18.32m (60-1.25). Also for ASU, redshirt senior Jessika Byrd threw 15.73m (51-7.25)
Redshirt senior Bryan McBride and senior Edmond Baker competed in the high jump, finishing in 6th and 17th, respectively, with cleared heights of 2.09m (6-10.25) and 2.04m (6-8.25).
In Seattle, redshirt sophomore CJ Albertson and redshirt junior Ryan Herson opened in the 5000m run, with Albertson finishing in 28th at 14:08.59, while Herson placed 40th at 14:19.87.
Competition at both meets continues on Saturday, with ASU’s first event in Albuquerque, the women’s shot put, starting at 9:30 a.m. MT. The track events at the Don Kirby Invite begin at 10:45 a.m. with the 60m hurdles prelims.
In Seattle, ASU will start the day at 10:15 a.m. MT with the first section of the 3000m run.
Also for the Sun Devils, senior Shelby Houlihan will run in the Wanamaker Mile at the 2015 NYRR Millrose Games at 5:20 p.m. MT, and the race will be aired on NBCSN.
More Quotes:
Throws coach David Dumble
“Ryan Leslie did a phenomenal job today. Three throws were about three feet over his personal best and we had some really good progress. It might not have all been distance-wise, but their improvements in their physical and mental control was good to see to start off the weekend.”
Sprints coach Ronnie Williams
“We really wanted to come in today and run a mark that would put us in the top half of the nation in the 200m dash, and Devan Spann definitely came in and did an excellent job in his season opener to run 20.82. It was a phenomenal run for the day. I also thought Kiera Bulluck did a great job in the 400m, getting the PR today. She’s trusting in her training and keeps getting better and better every week. I look forward to using today’s momentum to have a great day tomorrow.”
Arizona State Results
HUSKY CLASSIC
Men’s 5,000m Run
28. CJ Albertson – 14:08.59
40. Ryan Herson – 14:19.87
DON KIRBY ELITE
Women’s 200m Dash
24. Jasmine Gibbs – 24.61 (PR)
Women’s 400m Dash
16. Kiera Bulluck – 57.39 (PR, won heat)
Women’s Weight Throw
5. Magdalyn Ewen – 18.69m (61-4.00)
7. Ashley Weber – 18.32m (60-1.25)
18. Jessika Byrd – 15.73m (51-7.25)
Men’s 200m Dash
2. Devan Spann – 20.82 (PR)
Men’s 400m Dash
13. Sterling Winston – 49.38 (PR)
20. Ronny Hall – 49.91 (PR, won heat)
Men’s Pole Vault
5. Tanner Greeley – 4.85m (15-11.00) (season best)
Men’s High Jump
6. Bryan McBride – 2.09m (6-10.25)
17. Edmond Baker – 2.04m (6-8.25)
Men’s Weight Throw
5. Ryan Leslie – 18.80m (61-8.25) (PR, moves to tie at No. 7)
11. Kyle Lillie – 17.18m (56-4.50)
13. Kyle Long – 16.75m (54-11.50)