The Vikings continued their strong start to the indoor track and field season last weekend with an impressive performance at the Cherry and Silver Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M.
Portland State athletes broke three school records. Dominique Maloney’s time of 55.72 seconds in the 400-meter on day one beat the previous mark of 56.17, set by Femi Kehinde in 2006. The result was good enough to qualify Maloney for the Big Sky Meet. On day two, senior Geronne Black improved upon her own record in the 60-meter dash with a winning time of 7.34, and graduate student Joenisha Vinson broke the PSU 60-meter hurdles record with a time of 8.46, taking second place in that event.
The team’s success continued on the men’s side, with J.J. Rosenberg finishing the meet’s opening day in first place in the 400. Rosenberg’s mark of 49.28 was just shy of the qualifying time for the Big Sky tournament. He finished the competition in eighth place.
“This was one of the best meets as a team we have ever had,” assistant coach Seth Henson said. “Everybody did something special. There were personal records and season bests. Just a fantastic meet and a great representation of our school and the work we have put in.”
After a successful showing last weekend at the University of Washington Indoor Preview, the Vikings are making progress toward a first-place finish in the Big Sky Conference. Although it is still early in the season, the team is clearly focused on their objective.
“Our goals are starting to become more in our sights,” Henson said. “We just have to continue to work hard and stay healthy, and I think good things could happen come late February in Bozeman.”
The Vikings travel back to Seattle to compete in the UW Invitational this weekend. After that, PSU heads out to the East Coast for the New Balance Collegiate Invitational on Feb. 1 and 2.