Vikings push toward finish

This past Wednesday marked the official kickoff for the 2011 Big Sky Outdoor Championship in Sacramento, Calif. The first two days of the meet are multi-events, such as the heptathlon for women and the decathlon for men. Two Vikings, junior Joenisha Vinson and freshman Luke Leddige, are the only competitors participating in these events. 

After day one, Vinson stands in second place with a score of 3,180. Her strongest events of the day were the 100-meter hurdles and the 200-meter, where she set a new personal record and moved up to number six in the Portland State record book. Results from yesterday’s events, the second of four days, were not available at press time.

Leddige, who is competing in his first ever decathlon, is currently in 10th place with a combined score of 3,122. His highest scoring events of the day were the 100-meter and the 400-meter, with totals of 675 and 698, respectively. On day two, he will be participating in the 100-m hurdles and the discus, his two strongest events.

“It was a tough first day, but it’s smooth-sailing from here.” Leddige said in a statement to the school.

Both athletes are hoping to qualify for their individual national meets. Vinson is aiming for the NCAA Championships on June 8–11, and Leddige for the USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships held on June 23–25.

The last two days of the meet are the open events, in which the remainder of the 21 athletes will compete. Sophomore Geronne Black will be returning to defend her title in the 100-m, while other names to keep a look out for will be senior Karene King and junior Tony Crisofulli.

Crisofulli, at last year’s championship meet, came short of making it to the NCAA regional as well as advancing to the final heat of his main event, the 800-meter. For this year’s meet, he heads into the race with the fastest time in the conference, clocking in at 1 minute and 49.11 seconds. Crisofulli is determined to stand on the medal podium this time around.

For the past six years, with exception to 2007, a Viking has won in the women’s 100-m, and this year will hopefully be no different. Both Black and King sit with the two fastest times in the conference of 11.65 and 11.67, respectively. For Black, her time heading into this year’s meet is about a .30 second improvement from last season, and it is also the fastest time from previous years as well.

Last week, the Big Sky named both Crisofulli and Black as athletes of the week, the second time both athletes have been awarded the honor. Black earned the award for winning the 100-m at the Oregon Twilight, and then again last week after winning the 100-m at the Oregon Preview. Crisofulli was noticed for punching in his second fastest time of the season in the 800-m at 1:50.67. Also, about two weeks ago at the Oregon Relays, he was named athlete of the week for his performance in the same event.

If you wish to follow the Viking’s track team live, head towww.finishedresults.com/content/live-results. ?