Bertleson Breaks Vault Record Again

Coach Mike Maynard's Bronco track team continues to prep for the WAC Indoor Championships with action at Jackson's Track. Pole vaulter Annelise Bertleson broke her own school record to highlight the first day of competition of the Boise State Team Invitational.

Boise State sophomore Annelise Bertleson broke her own school record in the pole vault to highlight the first day of competition at the Boise State Team Invitational track meet yesterday at Jackson’s Track in Nampa.  Bertleson cleared 12-feet, nine inches to win the event and move into second place in the Western Athletic Conference.

 “It feels great to see all the hard work pay off and I know I have even more I can contribute to the team,” Bertleson said. “I am jumping really well we head into the WAC Championships (Feb. 28-Mar. 1). This meet I just tried to relax and focus on what it takes to succeed and that really helped my performance.”

Bertleson first broke the school record two weeks ago at the United Heritage Classic when she topped 12-7.5.  Freshmen teammates Heidi Dorling and Breanna Craig each vaulted 11-5.25 to tie for sixth in the event. 

Heigo Nurmsalu and Eric Demers finished one-two in the men’s long jump for the 6^th-ranked Bronco men’s team, with Nurmsalu leaping 22-feet, 10.25 inches and Demers posting a 22-9.25.  Marc Bybee finished fourth with a jump of 22-1.75.

Nick Taylor posted the fifth fastest time in the WAC this season in winning the 200-meter qualifying with a time of 21.79.  Boise State’s Marlon Douglas (22.23), Cade Hulbert (22.62) and Cody Buckendorf (22.67) join Taylor in the finals today.  Hulbert also finished third in qualifying for the 400-meter final with a time of 49.20.  USC’s Lionel Larry was the fastest 400 qualifier, just 05/100^th’s off the NCAA provisional mark of 47.20.

Douglas finished second in qualifying for the 60-meter final with a 7.02, but needs to improve to 6.63 to earn au automatic berth in the NCAA Championships.  Thomas Estlick improved to 7.14 and will be in today’s final along with Demers who ran a 7.26.

In addition to Bertleson’s heroics, the Bronco women were led by Paige Olivetti, who was the fastest qualifier in the 400 meters.  Olivetti, who ran a 56.36, is now in third place in the WAC but needs to shave four seconds off her time to make the NCAA’s.  Sister Megan Olivetti is now fifth in the WAC with her time of 56.95.  Paige also finished third in the 200 meters with a season-best time of 24.91.

Three Lady Broncos qualified for the 60-meter final.  Nataucha Lowry finished second in qualifying with a time of 7.80.  Lowry needs to improve to 7.26 to earn an automatic berth in the NCAA Championships.  Megan Olivetti and Nesha Simeone will join Lowry in today’s final with season-best times of 7.81 and 8.01, respectably.

 The Boise State Invitational concludes today at Jackson’s Track with the field events beginning at 10 this morning and the track finals commencing at 1 p.m.  Boise State’s Ryan Grinnell, who is ranked in the top 10 nationally in three events, will be featured this morning.