Huff becomes Spartans’ first male athlete to win conference championship in any event since 1985, Prouse secures first career individual crown with meet record; Davis also earns first title in dramatic fashion in all-Wyoming long jump battle

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

New Mexico junior Charlotte Prouse ran the fastest women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase in Mountain West Conference championship meet history, but perhaps the most memorable performance Friday came right before in the men’s race from San Jose State fifth-year senior Craig Huff.

With the Spartans reinstating their men’s track and field program this year after discontinuing it following the 1988 season, Huff became San Jose State’s first male athlete to capture a Mountain West championship in any event at Buchanan High’s Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis, Calif.

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Huff ran the second-fastest men’s 3,000 steeplechase in meet history by clocking 8 minutes, 48.02 seconds, trailing only the 8:46.49 by New Mexico’s Elmar Engholm in 2015.

Huff became the first San Jose State male athlete to win a conference title since 1985, when Craig Armstrong doubled in the 200 and 400 meters at the Pacific Coast Athletic Association final.

It was only the second conference championship in the men’s 3,000 steeplechase in San Jose State program history, with Wayne Hurst capturing the 1973 PCAA crown.

Huff remains the Spartans’ No. 2 all-time performer, trailing the 1964 school record of 8:43.6 belonging to Jeff Fishback.

Prouse clocked 9:47.43 to eclipse the 2001 championship meet record of 9:55.63 held by Brigham Young’s Elizabeth Jackson.

Prouse, who secured her first career conference title, became New Mexico’s first Mountain West champion in the event since Ruth Senior in 2011. She elevated to the No. 3 collegiate performer this season, behind Boise State’s Allie Ostrander and New Mexico teammate Adva Cohen, along with No. 8 in the world this year.

Huff and Prouse continued a theme of good things coming to those who wait, with several veterans also celebrating championships in the field events.

San Diego State fifth-year senior Bonnie Draxler cleared 13-7 (4.14m) on her first attempt in the pole vault to secure her second outdoor title in three years and sixth in her career, including four indoor championships.

Wyoming fifth-year senior Jerayah Davis provided a dramatic conclusion to a thrilling matchup with teammate Ja’la Henderson in the women’s long jump competition.

After Henderson had taken the lead in the fifth round with a leap of 20-6.50 (6.26m), Davis responded on her final jump with an effort of 20-7 (6.27m) to capture Wyoming’s first Mountain West outdoor title in the event. Davis, who elevated from 15th place last year, was the early leader with a third-round mark of 20-6.25 (6.25m).

Colorado State senior Kelcey Bedard finally broke through in the women’s hammer throw after three consecutive runner-up finishes, producing a third-round mark of 209-10 (63.96m) to secure the Rams’ second title in three years, along with Linnea Jonsson in 2017.

New Mexico’s Tanner Battikha and Utah State’s Brenn Flint were both repeat champions.

Battikha soared to a sixth-round effort of 24-5 (7.44m) in the long jump, with Flint achieving a second-round mark of 54-3.75 (16.55m) in the shot put.

Utah State added its first Mountain West outdoor titles in the men’s shot put and men’s high jump.

Josh Barclay produced a personal-best effort in the sixth round of the shot put with a mark of 59-7 (18.16m).

Leaguen Fray-Benoit cleared 6-11.50 (2.12m) on his second attempt to add an outdoor high jump crown to his indoor title last year for the Aggies.

After placing second last year to his older brother Damon Unland, Wyoming sophomore Kirk Unland delivered a personal-best 205-11 (62.77m) in the first round of the men’s hammer throw to capture a fourth consecutive title for the Cowboys.