Washington Freshman Jayden White Has Six Throws To Try And Move Up In The Men's Weight Throw

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Washington freshman Jayden White will return to the throwing cage at the Dempsey Indoor facility in Seattle this weekend looking for one big throw to move into a possible NCAA Indoor berth. 

White, from Everrett, Wash., hasn't competed anywhere besides Dempsey since 2019, the summer after his junior year of high school. 

A year ago, as a senior, White finished second to Trey Knight in the weight throw at the UW High School Invitational. 

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"That meet against Trey lit a fire for me," White said. "I started doing some consistent work."

Knight, a freshman at USC, has not yet competed. 

White began working with the college implements soon after his senior track season was canceled and showed up at Washington in late September ready to get started.

"It's been great. It feels like home here," he said. 

White sits tied for 19th on the NCAA Division 1 list in the weight throw heading into a weekend with a busy conference championships schedule. He'd like to use his final six attempts to improve upon 69-10.75 (21.30m).

"I think I have full capability to go 22 meters," he said. "I just need to stay consistent and catch the right throw."

Elsewhere this weekend at the Husky Classic, many of the entries are similar to previous meets at Dempsey. Washington, Washington State and BYU athletes will be joined by a smattering of pros, mostly based in the Northwest. 

There are two men in the heptathlon, Parker Kennedy of Washington and Cody Teevens of Washington State. 

There are four lining up for the women's pentathlon: Ida Eikeng of Washington, Peyton Teevens of Washington State, Annie Kunz from the Chula Vista Elite Training Center and Lyndsey Lopes (unattached). 

The men's mile features Washington sophomore Sam Tanner, who will be trying to secure an NCAA qualifier after breaking the collegiate record in the 1,500 meters Feb. 13 at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Staten Island. 

Washington's Andrew Jordan will be looking for an NCAA qualifying time in the 3,000 meters. He's currently 13th in the 5,000. 

Chloe Cunliffe is entered in the women's pole vault, along with fellow American Kortney Oates and Canadian Robin Bone. 

Rebecca Mehra and Angel Piccirillo of Oiselle Little Wing should help ensure fast races in the women's 800 and mile, where Washington and BYU athletes are looking to improve their standing on the NCAA list.