LINCOLN, Neb. – After an extra week of preparation, the Sun Devil track & field program travels to the Cornhusker State for the annual Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational hosted by the University of Nebraska.
The two-day invitational begins on Friday morning with the pentathlon at 11:30 a.m. CST, followed by the heptathlon at noon CST.
"In the week since we've been back training, our team has done a great job taking care of business and working towards our goals as a team," said head coach Greg Kraft. "When we go to Nebraska, it really simulates a championship event because of the two-day format. Our athletes will have an opportunity to compete on Friday and then come back on Saturday. That's really one of the attractions of this meet."
Redshirt sophomore Liam Henshaw and sophomore Jessica Barreira will compete in their respective multi-event fields for the first time this season. Henshaw, a transfer from Oregon, will be officially competing in his first collegiate pentathlon.
The women's and men's weight throw and long jump, along with the men's pole vault, will all take place Friday evening as well beginning at 4:30 p.m. CST.
Devils to watch in those events include redshirt junior Maggie Ewen in the weight throw, along with newcomer Kaylee Antill. Ewen currently holds the 11th-best mark in the country as of now at 20.34m (66-8.75).
In the pole vault, graduate transfer Garrett Starkey ranks 39th in the country currently with a clearance of 5.18m (17-0.00).
On the track, the 60-meter dash and hurdles will start at 6 p.m. CST, with the 5,000-meter run and 400-meter dash directly following.
Senior Herb Polk is among the top nationally in the 400-meter dash, as his best time of 46.86 ranks 12th in the country.
As the Devils continue to dive deeper into the indoor season, which is fast approaching the MPSF Indoor Championship, more and more pieces continue to be added.
One of those pieces is sophomore sprinter Sierra Irvin, who was a key contributor down the stretch for the women during her freshman campaign.
"Sierra will return and be on our relays this weekend," said Kraft. "She's a perfect example of us returning key pieces as we dive deeper into the season. Our women's team is starting to take shape."
For the men, Kraft is pleased with the health and the continuous development in all parts of the track. However, he knows there is much work to do before the indoor conference meet and the outdoor season.
"Our men continue to have great balance," he said. "Right now, our guys are looking like more of a conference-level team, and so we need to continue to evolve with breakout performances so we can become an NCAA-caliber team."
Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational
Feb. 3-4
Bob Devaney Sports Center
Men's Events
60m
Bramwell, Drelan
Hasson, Brandon
Echols, Bryson
200m
Bramwell, Drelan
Hasson, Brandon
400m
Polk, Herb
Wright, Jeremy
800m
Julian, Michael
1 Mile
Boys, Brandon
Coccia, Michael
3000m
Brazeal, Cody
4 x 400m
Squad A
Hasson,Polk,Wright,Bramwell
High Jump
Hughes, Elijah
Bryant, Joey
Ford, Mason
Pole Vault
Starkey, Garrett
Eckles, Matthew
Long Jump
Bryant, Joey
Shot Put
Anderson, Thomas
Long, Kyle
Titherington, Michael
Weight Throw
Long, Kyle
Titherington, Michael
Heptathlon
Henshaw, Liam
Women's Events
200m
Franklin, LaTroya
Flanagan, Sha'Maya
Crozier, Melese
400m
Franklin, LaTroya
Crozier, Melese
Flanagan, Sha'Maya
600m
Williford, Christine
3000m
Reniewicki, Megan
60m HH
Morrison, Deshaunda
4 x 400m
Squad A
Crozier,Flanagan,Williford,Irvin,Franklin
Pole Vault
Davis, Vanessa
Fritts, Haleigh
Warth, Kristiana
Masolini, Athena
Long Jump
Morrison, Deshaunda
Triple Jump
Woodson, Darreyl
Shot Put
Ewen, Maggie
Weber, Ashley
Weight Throw
Ewen, Maggie
Antill, Kaylee
Weber, Ashley
Pentathlon
Barreira, Jessica