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The University of Utah Athletics
Utes Travel to MWC Championships
2/26/2008 12:00 AM | Track & Field
Feb. 26, 2008
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah track and field team travels to Air Force this weekend for the Mountain West Conference Indoor Championships. Led by Chelsea DiGrazia's conference-best time in the mile, the Utes have several athletes who have the potential to place high at the meet.
Chasing Chelsea
Digrazia and Chelsea Shapard have both performed well in their respective events for the Utes this year.
Digrazia has the best time in the mile run in the MWC this season, 4:53.85, which she ran at the Iowa State Classic. The time broke the 10-year-old school record in the event. She is one of only six women to run under a five minute mile at Utah. Digrazia also ranks 11th in the 3,000 meters. Her personal best time of 10:05.95 was run at the Iowa State Classic.
Shapard has the third-best time in the 400 meters in the MWC this season. Her time of 55.98 was run at the Iowa State Classic. She holds the school record in the event with a 54.83 run last season. Shapard also ranks among the top 10 in the conference in the 800 meters with a time of 2:12.54, also run at Iowa State. She ranks among the top-three all-time at Utah in the 200 and 800 meters.
Four Times the Fun
The 4x400 meter relay team has the third-best time in the conference this season, running a 3:47.62 at Iowa State. Ashley Patterson, Chelsey Kaplar, Whitney Wellington and Chelsea Shapard all raced for the Utes. The time also ranks second all-time at Utah.
Utah also has the potential to do well in the distance medley relay. The squad's best time this year is 12:17.32.
Pitter-Patterson
Ashley Patterson looks to be strong in the 400 meters and the triple jump. Her time of 56.13 is fifth in the MWC this year and ranks second in school history. She is also in the top 10 in the MWC in the triple jump. Her leap of 38'9.25", which ranked fourth in school history in the event, was done at the Mountain State Games.
Patterson also set the school record in the 200 meters earlier this season, running a time of 25.18 at Iowa State.
Additional Notes: Lauren Enderson's personal best of 17.15.27 at Iowa State Classic ranks third all-time at Utah and fourth in the MWC this year ... Josefin Berg's best toss of 55'3" in the weight throw was done at Mountain State Games and ranks fifth in the conference ... Utah athletes have set 20 new all-time top 10 school marks this season ... others who rank in the top 10 in the conference in their respective events include Chelsey Kaplar (400-meter dash and 60-meter hurdles), Shayla Houlihan (3,000 meters), Lauren Lewis (5,000 meters), Mandie Rowell (pole vault) and Chasity Toilolo (shot put).
Coach Kepler's Two Cents: "The pinnacle of the indoor season is upon us. Our student-athletes understand the importance of this meet to our program as well as their individual development. We've really had some good performances the last few weeks. The goal is to continue at that level of improvement. If they do that then our position in the team standings will take care of itself. We are still a very young and fragile team. However, this is an opportunity to grow in a big way. We need to rise above the pressure and focus on doing what we can do---keep setting personal best marks and competing and challenging the other athletes for every spot. We've done a great job of this the last two weeks and I expect more of the same this weekend."
Players Mentioned
Hurdles/Sprints
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Sprints
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