Completed Event: Track & Field versus NCAA Championships on June 12, 2025 ,
Final Score
Track & Field
vs NCAA Championships
The University of Utah Athletics
2001-2002 Track And Field Outlook
8/23/2001 12:00 AM | Track & Field
Aug. 23, 2001
The Utah cross country and track and field programs venture into a new era this season. For the first time in 22 years, the Utes have new leadership with former head coach Mike Jones retiring at the conclusion of the 2001 outdoor track and field season. Hoping to ease the transition from the "Jones Era" are Fresno State alum and former Ute assistant Lisa Collet, and Weber State alum and former assistant coach Brian Appell. Collet will head the women's track and field program. Under the guidance of herself and Jones last season, the Ute women placed fifth at the conference indoor championships and sixth at the outdoor championships, finishing with all-time bests in points both times. Appell is the new head coach for the cross country teams, which notched fourth- place finishes at the 2000 Mountain West Conference Championships on both the men's and women's side.
This season, the Utes possess more athletes and will compete in more events in track and field than ever before. Collet is optimistic of achieving top-three team finishes at the conference indoor and outdoor track and field championships, several national qualifiers and as many as five All-Americans.
Track & Field
Collet assisted Jones for two seasons before taking over the reins of the track and field program last summer. She is well acquainted with the athletes on the team, which she considers a plus. "I know where our strengths and weaknesses are as a team," says Collet. "We have a tremendous amount of talent. I believe our only weakness is in the short sprints. Every other event is a strength for us."
One of the most notable changes Collet has made is the addition of the pole vault event to the regular lineup. "We've never officially competed in the pole vault," tells Collet. "We experimented in the event last season, but this season we have recruited athletes that are experienced and ready to compete. Adding this event, as well as more athletes to the program, should allow us to pump up our score and become more competitive in the Mountain West Conference Championships."
Collet admits losing All-American Chantel Goldsberry to graduation is the biggest obstacle the team has to overcome. "Chantel was a great athlete," says Collet. "She dominated the conference in the hammer throw and was a team captain." Goldsberry set the school record in the hammer throw (190'5") in 2000.
Three other key losses for the team are Johanna Nielsen, Shanae Nixon and Mindy Wilder. Nielsen earned all-conference honors in the 10,000-meter run at the outdoor championships after finishing third. Nixon was one of Utah's best high jumpers and heptathletes. She earned all-conference honors at the 2001 outdoor championships by finishing third in the heptathlon with 5,073 points. Wilder was the team's best competitor in the javelin.
Collet expects senior April Jackson to step up as a team leader. Jackson was an All-American at Ricks Junior College, but battled injuries last season. Despite the nagging injuries, Jackson earned all-conference honors at the outdoor championships after finishing in a three way-tie for second place in the high jump (5' 7.25"). When healthy earlier last season, Jackson cleared 5' 9". "April is a great high jumper and hurdler," admits Collet. "She should earn all-conference honors during the indoor and outdoor season in both the 100-meter hurdles and the high jump." Other key returnees are seniors Erianne Allen and Audrey Kiser, and juniors Kristy Slade and Tracy Hamblin. Allen finished fourth at the outdoor championships in the heptathlon (5,018 points). "We expect Erianne and Kristy to carry over the success they had last season in the pentathlon and heptathlon," says Collet. "Audrey will be our strength in the throws." Kiser primarily competes in the shot put, but also contributes in the hammer and weight throw. Hamblin was Utah's ironwoman last season as she competed in five to six events in several meets. "We used Tracy a lot last season because she's good in all of her events," states Collet. "She's going to be strong for us in the 200-meter dash and 400-meter dash, and in the team relays." Hamblin will also compete in the pole vault.
New to Utah is Brooke LoBue, who is transferring from Fresno State. "Brooke is a great pole vaulter," says Collet. "She will give us the points we've lacked by not competing in the pole vault previously." Collet expects LoBue to become a national qualifier this season.
Also competing in the pole vault is freshman Trisha Wagner. "Trisha was a top Idaho recruit and should help us develop competitively in the pole vault," says Collet.
Freshman Jenn Jackman was a top Utah recruit in the 300-meter hurdles. She will make the jump to the 400-meter hurdles this season.
Collet is expecting great things from this team. "BYU should win the conference, but we have the potential to finish second or third," says Collet. She also believes several athletes should earn all-conference honors. "I'm excited to be coaching such a talented team during my first season."
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