SPOKANE, Wash. - The NNU Track and Field team started the indoor season out strong yesterday at the Spokane Invitational in Spokane, Wash. The athletes snagged many personal bests as they jumped, ran, and threw against competitors ranging from Division I to NAIA programs.

The excitement was infectious at the brand new 'The Podium' indoor track this weekend. "When one does well, everyone wants to rally with them and join in," said head coach Danny Bowman. 

One athlete that stood out was junior thrower Destany Herbert.

"It went a lot better than expected — I came in very nervous because I knew that there was going to be D1 people. I came in not thinking I would go to finals and I made the finals in both events. I ended up PRing in both. I was so excited," said Herbert. She placed seventh in the weight throw with a throw of 15.07m and seventh in shot put at 12.92m.

"It was awesome to see her start to believe in herself, not be intimidated, and be a little more aggressive than she has in the past," said Bowman. Her marks also broke into the NNU top 10 lists at seventh all-time for weight throw and sixth all-time for shot put.

The throws coach, Shane Peterson, is beginning his first year coaching at NNU. "Having Coach Peterson has caused a spark in the throws area and the athletes are really responding to his training. They are performing really well right now, getting gains in practice, and it's transitioning to the meets. We had three guys make finals in weights and two in shot as well," said Bowman.

Herbert agrees. "Peterson is really cool in the fact he focuses a lot on drills, not just throwing. My technique is the best it's ever been."

Eleven other athletes achieved personal bests in Spokane, among them freshman Nick Wong who advanced out qualifying with the fifth-best time to get into the prelims in the 60 meter dash. "He ran well, doing everything we practiced," said Bowman. He ran a personal best with 7.16 seconds, 10th in NNU history.

Freshman sprinter Hunter Braseth also surprised the field in the 400 meter and 200 meter races. He currently holds the top GNAC 200 meter time for the season at 22.37 seconds, sixth in NNU history. 

The Nighthawks got a great jump start to the season this weekend. After Christmas break, they will take to the track once again at the BYU Invite on January 14-15.