NORWALK, Calif. -- While a majority of the Arizona State track and field program was competing in Azusa, Calif., several Sun Devils were invited and participated at the prestigious 58th annual Mt. SAC Relays from Thursday, April 14 through Saturday, April 16.
Just a week ago at ASU's Sun Angel Classic, junior Keyasia Tibbs broke a 16-year-old school record in the triple jump with a mark of 12.96 meters (42-06.25). In California -- and in a field with USA's Crystal Manning and other professionals -- Tibbs one-upped her new record and became the first Sun Devil woman ever to jump over 13 meters. Her mark of 13.10 meters (42-11.75) was good enough for seventh place and a mere foot and eight inches from the top spot.
Prior to her event, senior Josh Dixon jumped in the men's triple jump invitational event and would beat out Kyron Blaise of Trinidad & Tobago -- who was also a three-time All-American and two-time All-SEC at LSU -- and 2009 NCAA Division II triple jump national champion Josh Honeycutt of Asics. His best jump came on his final attempt, leaping to a 15.83-meter mark (51-11.25) for fifth place.
On the track, redshirt junior CJ Albertson continued to impress in any distance event coach Louie Quintana has him run in. After already running personal records -- and ASU top-10 times -- in the mile and 3,000-meter steeplechase in the last three weeks, Albertson set another personal best in the 5,000-meter elite event with a time of 13:56.89. It was nearly two seconds better than his indoor record and a whopping 24-plus seconds better than his outdoor best. He finished 22nd out of 54 of some of the best runners in the country.
In the 5,000-meter open event, teammate and redshirt senior Ryan Norton put together a new personal best as well with a 14-second improvement at 14:28.24. He finished 36th out of 82 competitors.
Sophomore J.P. Nelson also decided it was a good week to record a personal best, as he participated in the 3,000-meter steeplechase for the second time this season and clocked a time of 9:12.30.
The Sun Devils will have a handful of competitors compete at the upcoming Chula Vista Olympic Invitational from Thursday, April 21 through Friday, April 22 or at San Diego's Triton Invitational from Friday, April 22 through Saturday, April 23.
58th Annual Mt. SAC Relays Cerritos College Falcon Stadium Norwalk, Calif. April 14-16THURSDAY
Women's 3,000m Steeplechase Open
25. Shaina Corbin - 10:46.09
Men's 3,000m Steeplechase Open
19. J.P. Nelson - 9:12.30
FRIDAY
Women's 5,000m Elite
53. Chelsey Totten - 16:54.28
Men's 5,000m Open
36. Ryan Norton - 14:28.24
47. John Reniewicki - 14:34.21
65. Riley Wattier - 14:51.67
Men's 5,000m Elite
22. CJ Albertson - 13:56.89
48. Ryan Herson - 14:23.75
Men's 3,000m Steeplechase Elite
29. Daniel Wong - 9:04.42
SATURDAY
Men's Triple Jump
5. Josh Dixon - 15.83m (51-11.25)
Women's Triple Jump
7. Keyasia Tibbs - 13.10m (42-11.75)