The Sun Angel Classic is usually ASU track and field's biggest home meet of the year, and this year is no different.
The Sun Devils are looking to continue their stellar outdoor season and defend their home track against great competition, including members of the Canadian Olympic team. The Sun Devils' men come into the 33rd annual Classic ranked No. 10 in the nation, jumping 10 spots from last week.
Defending national indoor and outdoor shot put champion redshirt junior Jordan Clarke leads the group. Clarke has impressed in each throwing event this year and set a personal record in the hammer throw of 64.90 meters at the ASU Invitational.
The other national champion from the indoor season, senior Mason McHenry, has stayed in form and also earned a personal outdoor best at the ASU Invitational, finishing in 1:47.60. The mark was good enough for second fastest in school history and currently ranks fifth in the nation.
Senior Chris Benard and sophomore Bryan McBride also set outdoor records at the ASU Invitational. Benard jumped 7.73 meters in the long jump, and McBride jumped 2.20 meters in the high jump. The two are on the top of their game heading into the Sun Angel Classic.
The men's sprint team has posted solid marks this outdoor season and may be the deepest group for the Sun Devils. Sophomore Ryan Milus ran a 10.21 second 100-meter dash at the ASU Invitational, which broke the meet record. Milus also anchors the 4x100-meter relay team of junior Chris Burrows, senior Daniel Auberry and redshirt junior Rashad Ross. The team currently holds the sixth fastest time in the nation.
The dark horse for the men looks to be redshirt sophomore Derick Hinch. The junior college transfer is current No. 3 in the nation after pole-vaulting 5.50 meters at the ASU Invitational.
The No. 19 women are lead by junior Keia Pinnick and freshman Shelby Houlihan.
Pinnick looks strong coming off last week's Jim Click Multis, where she finished with 5,622 points in the heptathlon, good enough for fourth overall in the nation this year in the event.
Houlihan is also proving to be very diverse for the Sun Devils. The freshman from Sioux City is currently ranked No. 12 in the 1500-meter run and No. 22 in the 800-meter run and is only getting better as the season progresses.
Junior Christabel Nettey seems to be back to her All-America form after a disappointing indoor season. Nettey jumped 6.58 meters in the long jump competition at the Baldy Castillo Invitational, shattering her previous record in the event.
The Sun Angel Classic begins Friday, but the majority of events will run throughout the day Saturday.
Reach the reporter at dsshapi1@asu.edu
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