Idaho multievent athletes open strongly at WACs

Sophomore Drew Thompson stands in third place in the decathlon and senior Cait Rowland is in fourth place in the heptathlon to lead Idaho’s efforts after the first day of the Western Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships in Orem, Utah.

Thompson scored 3,407 points during the first five events, posting career-best times in the 100 (11.43) and 400 (52.40). Also for UI, senior Tyler Bennett (3,265) is fourth, sophomore Ian Middleton (3,226) fifth and senior Colin Briggs (3,218) sixth.

Rowland completed four events with 2,683 points, with a season-best 25.79 in the 200.

Utah Valley’s Michael McPherson (4,092) and Jessica Lingwall (3,030) lead.

• Eastern Washington’s Jozie Kimes (2,818) is in ninth place after four events in the heptathlon at the Big Sky Conference Championships in Flagstaff, Ariz. Montana State’s Carley McCutchen leads with 3,194.

Golf

North Idaho’s Angus Montgomery is tied for 22nd after two rounds of the NJCAA Division I men’s national tournament at Spirit Hollow Golf Course in Burlington, Iowa.

Montgomery shot a 6-over-par 78 for a total of 154, 11 shots behind leader Zac Oliver of Paris (Texas) JC. The Cardinals (641) are in 19th place, 48 shots behind.

• NIC’s Jennie Williams (69-over 285) is in 68th place after three rounds of the NJCAA Division I women’s national championship at the LPGA International GC in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Leader Tiffany Chan (216) has Daytona State (886) in first place.