Dayton Runners Shine in Cheney

CHENEY – With 1,100 athletes from throughout the state, Dayton’s track and field team faced a lot of great competition on Saturday at the Van Kuren Invitational here.

Hayden Wooldridge came out with personal record times in both hurdle events, placing sixth in the 110-meter hurdles, in a field of 39, with a time of 16.90. Wooldridge crossed the line at 46.32 in the 300 hurdles, placing 14th.

Chris Andrews also scored a PR in the 100-meter dash, at 12.17, taking off half a second from his previous best time. Teammate Wyatt Johnson came in with a new personal record in the 1600, dropping below the 6-minute mark for the first time, at 5:49.49.

“Hayden ran the smoothest 110 Hurdle race I’ve seen for him, and it showed in his time,” said Dayton Coach Dan Nechodom. “He’s also developing better endurance, which showed in the 300 hurdles. Chris Andrews had a very nice start and acceleration holding form and pace for a 0.5-second PR (reduction) in the 100. Wyatt Johnson hit the gas in the 1600, dropping nicely below six minutes for the first time.”

For the girls, Aliyah Picarella and Hazel Tu each came in with new personal records in the 100 meters, coming across the line at 14.67 and 15.54 respectively.

See full meet results on Page 12.