HONOLULU, Hawai'i - Competing on the multi-colored track at the University of Hawai'I, several members of the Nevada Wolf Pack track & field squad opened their season strong Friday in the Rainbow Relays.
Senior Dezirae Pennington made a move on the program's all-time list, jumping 39 feet and 1.25 inches (11.92m) in the triple jump. Pennington is now seventh in school history, moving up a spot. Senior Katia Coquis Lossio and senior Brittany Graves both snagged second place finishes in the javelin and triple jump, respectively. Freshman Alex Bohlman impressed in her debut, coming in third at the javelin runway with a mark that fell just short of the program top 10. Sophomore Shannon Palladino snagged victory in the 3000 meter with a time of 10:33.85. After the first day of competition, Nevada leads San José State 46.50-17.50 and Hawai'i 37-26 in the double-dual format.
The javelin group got things off to a great start with a second place finish from senior Katia Coquis Lossio and a third place finish from freshman Alex Bohlman. Bohlman, making her debut Friday, challenged the outdoor all-time list early in her career with her mark of 149 feet and 8 inches (45.62m). Coquis Lossio's last toss of the day was also her best at 150 feet and 10.75 inches (45.99m). Both marks, based on recent years, should punch their tickets to the NCAA West Preliminary round.
Pennington bounced back in her first competition since the indoor conference championships. After not being able to record a mark at the conference meet, the senior recorded a personal record in her first jumps of the outdoor season. Her mark of 39 feet and 1.25 inches (11.92m) was also good enough to move her up a spot to seventh on the all-time list. Graves recorded a top three finish, coming in second with a mark of 39 feet and 8.75 inches (12.11m).
Senior Meagan Wood recorded a top three finish in the first of two races Friday night, finishing the 800 meter in 2:18.28. Wood fought from the middle of the group up toward the front with 300 meters to go. As runners began to kick down the stretch, the Reno native held her own. She was quickly joined by junior Nora Beinlich, who was running her first collegiate 800. The Germany native snagged third with a time of 2:21.24.
Over at the high jump pit, senior Leah Carter and freshmen Lea Halmans and Nicola Ader all cleared 5 feet and 6.25 inches (1.68m). Sophomore Alli Dickey cleared the bar at 5 feet and 2.25 inches (1.58m).
Three Wolf Pack throwers took on the hammer throw Friday. Senior Tara Park came in fourth with a best throw of 146 feet and 6.25 inches (44.66m). Park was followed by sophomore transfer Taylor Forte in fifth at 141 feet and 10.75 inches (43.25m) and junior Brandi French in eighth with a best mark of 129 feet and 4.75 inches (39.44m).
The final day of competition at the Rainbow Relays is set to begin with the 3000m steeplechase at 11:30 a.m. PT. Fans can follow along with all the action on Twitter with @WolfPackTrack.
