NAMPA, Idaho – Lewis-Clark State College’s Fernando Esparanza became the first Warrior this season to qualify for the NAIA’s Indoor Nationals with a strong performance in the mile at the Bronco Invitational on Saturday.
Esparanza, a junior who just recently transferred to LCSC from Huesca, Spain, finished in a time of 4:21.35, which was good enough for third overall against a host of NCAA D-I schools. Nationals our held on March 4-6 in Johnson City, Tenn.
Josh Shrewsbury also put up a good time in the mile as he finished the course in 4:27.25. His mark was good enough for seventh overall. LCSC’s only other runner competing on Saturday was Amy Watkins who finished the 3000 meter run with a time of 11:43.73.
In throwing events, Myriah Deeds reached 33-04.00 in the shot put, while Jake Myer threw 37-03.75 in the weight throw. Kirsten Smith, who is red-shirting the indoor portion of the season for LCSC, competed unattached and reached 47-01.00 in the weight throw and 36-01.25 in the shot put. Her mark in the weight throw exceeded LCSC’s current record by almost 10 feet.
“With only a handful of Warrior runners and a couple of throwers traveling to Nampa this weekend, the results came back very encouraging,” LCSC track coach Mike Collins said.
The Warriors will compete next at the University of Idaho on Friday and Saturday.
