(Pocatello, Idaho - Jan. 17, 2025) - Utah Tech track & field opened the indoor season with eight top-eight finishes and a program record at the Idaho State-hosted Snake River Open on Friday inside the ICCU Dome. 

"Really proud of the way the ladies opened the season — showing grit and determination out there. It's a great starting point for us as a team, and now we'll focus on building momentum and raising the bar for what's to come," UT head coach Derrick Atkins said.

Senior Rashawnna Gibson set the program record in the 60 meters with a time of 7.61. Gibson knocked 0.03 of a second off her previous school-record time of 7.64 set last season while taking second with her personal best time.

In the 400 meters, three Trailblazers finished in the top eight. Sophomore Whitney Christiansen took second with a time of 56.59, freshman Lily Sampson came in sixth at 58.26 and junior Megan Jenkins placed eighth with a time of 58.33.

Jenkins added a sixth-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.05.

Sophomore Mackenzie Bradach took seventh in the long jump with a mark of 5.09 meters (16-8.50).

In the high jump, junior Lainee Leavitt cleared the bar at 1.58 meters (5-2.25) to take eighth place.

The Trailblazer relay of Christiansen, Jenkins, Sampson and freshman Illenia DeHart placed seventh in the 4x400-meter relay with a time of 3:59.57.

Top Eight Finishes

• 60 Meters
  • 2. Rashawnna Gibson, 7.61 - PROGRAM RECORD
• 400 Meters
  • 2. Whitney Christiansen, 56.59
  • 6. Lily Sampson, 58.26
  • 8. Megan Jenkins, 58.33
• 60-Meter Hurdles
  • 6. Megan Jenkins, 9.05
• Long Jump
  • 7. Mackenzie Bradach, 5.09 meters (16-8.50)
• High Jump
  • 8. Lainee Leavitt, 1.58 meters (5-2.25)
• 4x400-meter Relay
  • 7. Utah Tech A (Whitney Christiansen, Megan Jenkins, Lily Sampson, Illenia DeHart), 3:59.57

Up Next
After a weekend off, the Trailblazers will head to the Northern Arizona-hosted Ron Mann Classic on Friday, Jan. 31 inside the Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff, Arizona.