Dominating in the discus, shot put and hammer, the Ricks College women's track and field team won its first-ever National Junior College Athletic Association championship May 17.
During the meet, held in Odessa, Texas, the Lady Vikings amassed 154 points to defeat Barton County Community College of Kansas, the seven-time defending champion, who tallied 112 points. Some 26 Ricks women athletes qualified for the team.Five Ricks athletes are national champions in their individual events, and Ricks track and field coach Ferron Sonderegger was named National Women's Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year and was also honored as National Meet Coach of the Year. Brother Sonderegger is a high priest in the Rexburg 13th Ward, serving on the high council of the Rexburg Idaho Center Stake.
Winning the heptathlon with 4,714 points was sophomore Leslie Price of Mesa, Wash. She placed first in the high jump and javelin throw in the seven-event competition. Sophomore Holly Peterson of Green River, Wyo., repeated as champion in the 10,000 meters, covering the distance in 38:24; sophomore Erin Hartvigsen of Alta Loma, Calif., won the discus throw with a throw of 153-5; freshman Melanie Clark of Salt Lake City won the 800 meters in 2:11.78; and freshman Geraldine George of Trinidad won the javelin throw at 155-8.
