March 13, 2010
Complete Results
DAVIS, Calif. - Senior Alex Wilright posted a winning time of 51.90 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles to highlight UC Davis action in the Aggie Open collegiate track and field meet at the Woody Wilson Track at Toomey Field Saturday afternoon. Wilright's victory led a one-through-four Aggie sweep in the hurdles, and was one of eight event wins by UC Davis student-athletes.
The meet had more than 700 athletes from both two-year and four-year colleges and universities, plus a smattering of unattached and/or masters' competitors.
Wilright finished well ahead of teammate Thomas Phillips' 53.23 in first heat of the long hurdles. Teammate Polly Gnepa ran a 13.93 to win the 110 hurdles, a time slightly faster than his personal-record of 13.99 if not for the 2.8 meters-per-second tailwind. Jonathan Sees captured the men's 800 with a 1:54.68, while placing third in the 1,500 at 3:55.97. Junior Jonathan Peterson claimed the win in the 1,500 with a 3:53.34 clocking.
On the women's side, UC Davis sophomore Lauren Wallace picked up an event win in the 800 meters with a 2:16.00 time. She had the Aggies only victory in a individual women's running event, but the 4x100 relay team of Stephanie Eckels, Melanise Chapman, Sirena Williams and Mina Mohamadi edged the Sacramento City College foursome with a first-place 47.36.
In the field, Ethan Ostrom and Michael Peterson finished 1-2 in the men's pole vault, both clearing 4.72 meters (15-5.75). Ostrom earned the nod based on attempts. Senior Tessa Fraser won the women's vault at 3.65 meters (11-11.75).
Several former Aggies won events, as did current UC Davis redshirts competing as unattached entries. Among the alumni, Jeff Billing took down the 100 (10.70) and long jump (7.46m/24-5.75). He set the school record in the latter back in 2003. Kim Conley, who currently serves as the Aggies' assistant cross country coach, ran away with the 1,500 win with a 4:24.20 time. Other recent UC Davis alumni to win events included Jah Bennett, who won the men's high jump at 6-8; and Kim Gleeson, who captured the women's discus win at 50.72m (166-5). Bennett finished at No. 2 in school history in his event, while Gleeson still holds the UC Davis discus mark.
Ugo Eke, who has opted to redshirt the 2010 season, ran a 55.59 in the 400 to beat out a pack of her Aggie teammates. Kiara Reed (57.40), Shanie Landen (58.10) and Tonie Williams (58.14) were 2-through-4 behind Eke. Another 2010 redshirt, thrower Chid Onyewuenyi, picked up victories in the shot (14.25m/46-9) and hammer (56.13m/184.02). She already holds Aggie records in each of those events.
Also among the meet highlights was Nick Welihozkiy's performance in the hammer throw. The 2003 West Region champion and Stanford alum set a meet record of 67.29 meters (220-9) to finish well ahead of Cal assistant coach Zech Whittington's 63.31m (207-8) effort.
The Aggie Open is the first of three UC Davis home meets in 2010. Both teams return to action in the UC Davis Classic on March 20.
