Nevada Track & Field to Host Mountain West Indoor Championships | Athletes to Watch
Nevada Track and Field to Host Mountain West Indoor Championships
Reno, Nev. – For the first time since 2002, the University of Nevada track and field team will host the Mountain West Indoor Championships, , at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. The event will showcase the top track and field athletes from across the conference.
The competition marks a significant milestone for the Nevada program, utilizing the $5 million Reno-Tahoe Track, which opened last year. Nevada Head Coach Shantel Twiggs expressed her excitement about welcoming the Mountain West’s best athletes to Reno, but also highlighted her enthusiasm for her team’s performance.
“They are putting together an amazing season,” Twiggs said. “We’re seeing so many great things, and we have a legitimate shot. I’m not going to lie, as far as the win is concerned. New Mexico might have that locked up because they’re just so deep as far their distances are concerned. But my athletes have been rallying with the record-breaking performances they’ve been putting together. I think it’s really exciting just to see how we are able to come together and create this unity and let everybody know that they’re coming to our house and having a good time.”
Admission to the championships is free on , starting at Paid entry will be required on ( start) and ( start).
Athletes to Watch
Several Nevada athletes are poised to make a strong showing at the championships. Here’s a look at some of the Wolf Pack’s top competitors:
- Magdalene George: A bronze medalist in both the 60 meter (7.32 seconds) and 200 meter (a school-record 23.32) at last year’s Mountain West Championships, George currently ranks fifth in the MW in the 60 and sixth in the 200.
- Annalies Kalma: Finished fifth in the 400 at the MW last year (53.41 seconds). This season, she ranks first in the MW in the 200 and second in the MW in the 400.
- Meekness Dogonyaro: Finished fourth in triple jump at the MW last year (12.97 meters) and currently ranks second in the MW in the triple jump.
- Kaja Maltaric: Finished 12th in triple jump at the MW last year (12.97 meters). This season, she ranks third in the MW in the long jump and eighth in the triple jump.
- Johanna Haas: Currently ranks first in the MW in the pentathlon with a score of 3,934 at the Wolf Pack Classic, and fifth in the MW in the 60 hurdles.
- Alma Kathan: Ranks fifth in the MW in long jump.
- Hazel Gaspaire: Ranks fifth in the MW in high jump.
- Stina Larsson: Ranks ninth in the MW in high jump.
- Relay Teams: Nevada’s 4×400 relay team ranks fourth in the MW, and the distance medley relay team ranks fifth.
Beyond Mountain West medals, Nevada’s athletes are also aiming for qualification to the NCAA Championships, which accepts the top-16 marks in each event. Kalma currently ranks 15th nationally in the 400 and has the potential to improve her standing and secure an NCAA spot, which would also guarantee All-American status.
“Team success is not based off of one particular person, but she definitely plays an integral role in multiple aspects of our program being the No. 1 seed in the 200, being the No. 2 seed in the 400 and having a big role on the 4X4,” Twiggs said of Kalma. “And it’s gonna be hot. It’s going to be fun. And it has been my pleasure. As I was driving in today, I was thinking about when Annalies was a freshman and we had that 4×400 team that made nationals and I yelled at her at one point during the season about not believing in herself and not trusting herself and not wanting to be the leader or the No. 1 runner for whatever reason. To see how she has grown and developed over time, I’m lucky enough that I get to be her coach.”
This event will be the first time Nevada has hosted an Indoor Track and Field Championship since joining the Mountain West, following previous WAC Championships held in 2001 and 2002.