TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona State track and field program kicked off their outdoor season as the host for the 20th annual Baldy Castillo Invitational on Friday at Sun Angel Stadium with the Sun Devil women highlighting the first day.
Graduate senior Jen Owen, redshirt junior Chelsey Totten and redshirt sophomore Magdalyn Ewen stood out with their performances in the 1,500-meter run and the hammer throw, respectively.
Owen and Totten took first and second in a field of 39 racers in the 1,500-meter race, with both of them pulling away from the pack down the stretch. Owen's time of 4:19.62 was not only a six-second personal best, but put her in a tie for fourth on the ASU all-time record list. In second place, Totten came from the middle of the pack for a time of 4:23.25 -- also good for a four-second new personal best.
"For Jen, running a sub 4:20.00 in say May would get her into the NCAA meet," said distance coach Louie Quintana. "That's a good start for her. In a more competitive race with girls around her, I think she could have run about 4:15.00 or 4:16.00. Chelsey closed with a huge finish, and Adriana (Olivas) was in no-man's land and pushed that pace.
"Every girl in the field all ran great. Hannah (Benoit-Bucher) ran 4:40 and fell -- she fell and was 15 meters back. She looked fantastic and I think she would have won that race to be honest."
The field events kicked off the day for the Baldy Castillo Invite, and Ewen was in her happy place in the women's hammer throw. After winning the MPSF Conference Indoor Championship in the women's weight throw, Ewen finally got back to the event she thrives and takes pride in.
Her very first throw was eight feet better than her personal best set at last year's dual meet with Arizona. Two throws later, a toss of 64.04m (210-01) was nearly another four feet further to earn her third place in the meet and second of all collegiate competitors. The mark also moved her into fourth-place on the ASU all-time record list.
In the men's hammer throw, redshirt junior Kyle Long placed fifth with a new personal best of 61.60m (202-01) becoming his first mark over 200 feet.
Saturday's events begin at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET with the women's discus event. Running events begin at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET with the women's 100-meter hurdles.
You can watch via live stream here, or follow live stats on the Finished Results app on your Apple or Google device.
20th Annual Baldy Castillo Invitational Sun Angel Stadium Tempe, Ariz. March 18, 2016
Friday Field Events
Men's Hammer Throw
5. Kyle Long - 61.60m (202-0.1)
Women's Hammer Throw
3. Maggie Ewen - 64.04m (210-01)11. Ginger Jarchow - 56.44m (185-02)
13. Ashley Weber - 54.82m (179-10)
Men's Discus Throw
3. Ahmed Hassan - 44.52m (146-01)
Friday Track Events
Men's 1,500-meter Run
5. C.J. Albertson - 3:48.179. Ryan Herson - 3:50.65
13. Cody Brazeal - 3:52.37
14. Ian Roberts - 3:52.45
24. Riley Wattier - 3:55.15
28. John Reniewicki - 3:57.53
31. J.P. Nelson - 3:57.70
32. Brandon Boys - 3:58.02
33. Jeff Bickert - 3:58.47
36. Nick Dale - 4:00.95
Women's 1,500-meter Run
1. Jen Owen - 4:19.622. Chelsey Totten - 4:23.25
4. Adriana Olivas - 4:27.99
14. Madison Davis - 4:34.68
19. Jenna Maack - 4:37.81
21. Hannah Benoit-Bucher - 4:40.11