Vikings take men's and women's titles at 26th annual UPS J.D. Shotwell Classic :: Brancheau, Lee, Myhre and Dimmitt each win two events for Western

April 8, 2006

TACOMA, Wash. - Western Washington University won 11 events in taking victories in both the men's and women's divisions at the 26th annual University of Puget Sound J.D. Shotwell Invitational Track and Field meet on Saturday at Baker Stadium.

The Vikings had a 27-1/2 point edge in the men's competition, finishing with 186-1/2 points to 159 for runner-up and host Puget Sound. In the women's competition, Western had a 15-1/2 point advantage, 179 to 163.50, over Seattle Pacific. Nine schools competed in the meet.

Sam Brancheau (Jr., Edmonds/Edmonds-Woodway), Johnathan Lee (Jr., Mount Vernon/PLU/Whatcom CC) and Kevin Myhre (So., Edmonds/Meadowdale) were all double winners for the Western men. Brancheau took the 800 meters (1:56.23), Lee led a 1-2-3 finish in the 400 with a 51.34 clocking and Myhre took the 400 hurdles in 57.23. They also were on the victorious 4x400 relay (3:27.97) along with Jeremy Jasman (Fr., Odessa).

Two other event winners for the Viking men were Andrew Behl (Sr., Everett/Cascade) in the pole vault (13-5 3/4) and Dustin Wilson (Sr., Silverdale/Central Kitsap) in the 110 hurdles (15.42). Western had 1-2 finishes in both hurdle events with Dustin Redding (Fr., Lynnwood/Meadowdale) placing second in each.

Heidi Dimmitt (Fr., Wenatchee) was the lone double winner for the Western women, taking the 400 hurdles (1:05.44) and running the first leg on the victorious 4x100 relay (50.10). She also ran the leadoff leg on the 4x400 relay (4:09.44) that finished second.

The Vikings' Jessica Telleria (Sr., Boise, ID/Capital) won her fourth straight competition in the discus (145-8) and placed second in the hammer (138-4). Clara Cook (Fr., Wenatchee) took the high jump (5-2 1/2) and Christy Miller (Fr., Boise, ID/Bishop Kelly) won the long jump with a personal best of 17-5 1/4 on her final try.

It is the second straight week that Western has swept both the men's and women's titles at a meet. Last week the Vikings performed that feat at their own Ralph Vernacchia Team Classic.

Western next competes at the Central Washington University Spike Arlt Invitational on Apr. 15.