San Diego State Track and Field Claims First-Ever MW Indoor Title

Feb. 23, 2013

NAMPA, Idaho - The San Diego State track and field team claimed its first-ever Mountain West indoor title at the MW Championships Saturday at Jacksons Indoor Track in Nampa, Idaho.

The Aztecs, who won a MW outdoor championship in 2003, finished with 123 points over the three-day meet, pulling away from runner-up New Mexico (103 points). Nevada (86), Boise State (77.33) and UNLV (66) rounded out the top five.

SDSU head coach Shelia Burrell was named the MW Women's Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year, while Shanieka Thomas was tabbed as the women's outstanding performer.

San Diego State finished the championship meet in style, winning three individual events and capturing the 4x400-meter relay in exciting fashion.

"SDSU's first indoor title in school history under this staff's leadership is something that all of us are very proud of," Burrell said. "Each young woman on this team competed with heart and Aztec pride."

Thomas claimed her second straight indoor title and third overall (also 2012 outdoor) in the triple jump with a leap of 43 feet, 9 inches (13.33 meters). She also finished second in the 400 meters in 55.67 seconds and anchored the winning 4x400-meter relay team that ran the second-fastest indoor time in program history of 3:42.11. Teaming up with Thomas in the relay was Allison Reaser, Maderia Toatley and Deyna Roberson.

"The 4x400 relay was the most exciting to watch with the team already knowing we had won the meet," Burrell said. "We ran with such pride to hold off a very talented UNLV team. Shanieka Thomas anchored that relay and fought until the end to get the win."

Kristen Brown, who won the pole vault yesterday, took home another title today in the 60 hurdles with a time of 8.40 seconds. Yesterday she ran an 8.28 in the prelims, which was the second-fastest time in school history.

Jasmine Burrell was the final Aztec to win an individual crown on Saturday as she won the shot put with a toss of 51-10.50 (15.18m). It was the second-best indoor mark in program history.

Altogether, SDSU finished with five individual titles at the MW Championships, including Brown in the pole vault and 60 hurdles, Burrell in the shot put, Thomas in the triple jump and Reaser in the pentathlon.

San Diego State also got Saturday points from Reaser (third, 8.53) and Alex Evans (fourth, 8.56) in the 60 hurdles, Roberson in the 400 (fourth, 56.02) and Nicole Oudenaarden (sixth, 47-07.00 (14.50m)) in the shot put. Brittany Gonter also competed in the shot put, taking 12th in 44-05.25 (13.54m).

"I always wanted to be the team staying late after the championships taking pictures," Burrell said. "I can get used to this."

San Diego State now has won five out of the possible six Mountain West trophies in the 2012-13 season. Along with track and field, women's soccer (regular season and postseason), football and volleyball have all claimed league championships. As of press time, the swimming and diving team had a large lead at the MW Championships as well and would make it six out of seven.

The Aztecs may send a few athletes to a last chance meet next weekend prior to the NCAA Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., on March 8-9.

Mountain West Indoor Championships
Jacksons Indoor Track - Nampa, Idaho
Day Three of Three - Feb. 22, 2013

Final Team Scores (out of 9 teams) (after 17 of 17 events)

1. San Diego State - 123
2. New Mexico - 103
3. Nevada - 86
4. Boise State - 77.33
5. UNLV - 66
6. Air Force - 59.44
7. Colorado State - 57.33
8. Wyoming - 53
9. Fresno State - 38

Individual Results

400 Meters (finals) (out of 8 entrants)
1. Kelsey Williamson (UNLV) - 55.31
2. Shanieka Thomas (SDSU) - 55.67
4. Deyna Roberson (SDSU) - 56.02

60-Meter Hurdles (finals) (out of 8 entrants)
1. Kristen Brown (SDSU) - 8.40
3. Allison Reaser (SDSU) - 8.53
4. Alex Evans (SDSU) - 8.56

4x400-Meter Relay (out of 9 teams)
1. San Diego State (Allison Reaser, Maderia Toatley, Deyna Roberson, Shanieka Thomas) - 3:42.11 (No. 2 all-time at SDSU)

Triple Jump (out of 21 entrants)
1. Shanieka Thomas (SDSU) - 43-09.00 (13.33m)
-- Alex Evans (SDSU) - Foul

Shot Put (out of 18 entrants)
1. Jasmine Burrell (SDSU) - 51-10.50 (15.81m) (No. 2 all-time at SDSU)
6. Nicole Oudenaarden (SDSU) - 47-07.00 (14.50m)
12. Brittany Gonter (SDSU) - 44-05.25 (13.54m) (No. 6 all-time at SDSU)

Courtesy San Diego State