TEMPE, Ariz. -- Louisiana State dominated the 1998 Baldy Castillo Invitational, capturing 10 first-place finishes while Arizona State joined two other schools, Michigan and Ohio State, as the Tigers closest competition with four first place finishes each. Thirty NCAA qualifying marks were set at the two-day meet.
Arizona State's victories came with Brandon Strong in the men's 1,500m, Ari Rodriguez in the men's 3,000m, Mika Laiho in the men's hammer, and Joronda White in the women's 400. Laiho (227-2 ft.) and White (53.34) both posted NCAA qualifying marks while Rodriguez came within 0.99 seconds of a NCAA mark.
Blustery conditions contributed to some fast sprint times including LSU's Chris Cummings wind-aided mark of 10.04, three-hundredths of a second off a track record in the men's 100. The Tigers Kwajalein Butler also posted an NCAA automatic qualifying time in the women's 100 with a first-place 11.27. The only other automatic NCAA marks came from Laiho and Wyoming's Jessica Cross in the women's shot put (53-11.75).
ASU continues its outdoor season next weekend at the Texas Relays before hosting the Sun Angel Classic, April 11 at Sun Angel Stadium.