Results

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University men's and women's track & field programs opened up the indoor season on Saturday, sending a small contingent of athletes to the Podium for the Spokane Indoor Invitational.

"It was a good day for the group we brought," said Head Coach Trey Henderson.

"Grady had a solid day all around. We we're happy getting our first years in the jump groups some early competitive experience. Bridger having a lifetime best in the high jump was nice to see as well along with Allie who had a PR in the 60 and a solid day in the high jump."
 
Grady Lemma headlined the day, winning the pole vault after clearing 14 feet, 7 ¼ inches. A 2023 NCAA national qualifier for the indoor heptathlon, Lemma entered the pole vault competition at 13' 1 ½". The junior cleared that height on his first attempt along with first try clearances at 13' 7 1/4", 14' 1 ¼", and finally at 14' 7 ¼" to best the 17 competitor field. Lemma's vault ties a personal best set last winter at the Whitworth Invitational at the same facility in Feb. 11, 2023. Lemma additionally finished one hundredth of a second off a PR in the 60-meter hurdles, clocking a time of 8.71 seconds. 
 
Bridger Hanis made his Lute debut in style, clearing 6' 0 ¾" in the high jump, finishing first among Division III competitors and fifth overall in the high jump. The first-year cleared 5' 10 ¾" on his first attempt before clearing 6' 0 ¾" on his third and final jump. 
 
On the women's side, Allie Youngs ran a personal best time of 8.61 in the 60-meter dash while placing 23rd in the high jump (4' 9 ½"). Sarah Brandt ran the 60 for the first time ever, clocking a time of 8.76 while leaping 13' 10 ½" in the long jump.
 
Kloe Salazar and Cheyanne Hicks made their Lute debuts on the track in the 60-meter hurdles, clocking times of 10.27 and 10.91, respectively. Hicks additionally cleared 4' 9 ½" in the high jump. 
 
Madison Downey competed in two field events for the Lutes, leaping 15' 9" in the long jump and clearing 4' 7 ½" in the high jump.

"It's a long season ahead but the more competition you can get the more opportunities for growth."
 
The Lutes take the rest of the month off, returning to action on Jan. 13 for the UW Preview Meet in Seattle.