Skanes fourth in long jump at Husker Invite
LINCOLN, Neb. – Freshman Imani Skanes got a taste of high-major college track & field on Friday and accounted herself quite well.
The College of Saint Mary standout placed fourth out of 32 entries in the long jump at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational at the Bob Devaney Sports Center Indoor Track.
"Competing in a meet of this caliber is a big test for a first-year athlete,'' CSM Coach Steve Gordon Jr. said. "Athletes from all divisions of collegiate track & field (NCAA D-I, D-II, D-III and NAIA) are in attendance. Both the number of athletes and the caliber of performances puts this meet on par with NAIA nationals, so it's a great test and learning experience of what our sport is like at the highest collegiate levels.
"To handle the competitive environment would be admirable, but to be a finalist and earn a placed finish is literally next level for our program.''
Skanes' third jump was her best at 5.76 meters (18 feet, 10¾ inches), good for fourth behind an unattached athlete, and athletes from Minnesota State and Fresno State.
Skanes also competed in the 60-meter prelims, placing 25th of 46 in 7.80 seconds.
Gozie Okafor and Rayna Apley will be in action on Saturday at the Husker Invitational, with the rest of the team heading to Crete, Neb., for the Fred Beile Classic.