Completed Event: Track & Field versus NCAA Championships on June 12, 2025 ,
Final Score
Track & Field
vs NCAA Championships
The University of Utah Athletics
Utes Begin Outdoor Track Season
6/21/1999 12:00 AM | Track & Field
April 5, 1999
The University of Utah begins its outdoor track and field season this weekend when the Utes participate in the Bob Gibb Invitational in Boise Idaho. "This is the first track meet of the season but we should do fairly well," says Head Coach Mike Jones. "The weather may be a factor. We will be dealing with the elements and that is a factor in one's performance."
Jones will have the men focus on the 1,500 meter event in Boise in order to prepare them for the Mt. SAC Invitational the following weekend, April 16-17, where athletes have an opportunity to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in June. "We're trying to build speed and get them running faster in preparation for Mt. SAC, " says Jones.
"The weather will be warm and we will be at sea level. All the factors for a good outdoor meet come together at once."
Last week, Chris Merkley, Travis Hildebrand and Dane Miller competed at the Stanford Invitational in the 5,000 meter event. They finished 21st, 22nd and 42nd, respectively from a field of 106 runners. All posted personal best times.
"The goal is to get Phil Stoddard and Adam Stark up to the level with Chris (Merkley), Travis (Hildebrand), and Jeff (Simonich) so that we have a contingent of strong runners," says Jones. On the women's side, Jones anticipates the majority will have their best performances in individual events as they each try to qualify for nationals.
"Amy Tidwell, a former heptathlete, will strictly concentrate on the long jump to see if she can qualify for the national championships," he says.
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