PULLMAN, Wash. – The Linfield track teams opened the 2011 season by competing at the Ninth Annual WSU Indoor Open, a two-day meet that concluded Saturday.

The Wildcats competed against local track clubs and collegiate teams from multiple divisions, including Washington State University, the University of Idaho, Central Washington University, Spokane Community College and fellow Northwest Conference member Whitworth University.

Competing against big-school programs presented a tough challenge for the 'Cats in their first meet, but was one that was readily accepted.

“It’s always good to go up against DI competition to see where you stack up,” said first-year head coach Travis Olson.

Linfield’s top performer was Chelsea Machida, who placed third in the high jump with a height of 5-4¼. Her mark was just one inch shy of the NCAA indoor provisional qualifying standard.

“She’s picking up right where she left off,” Olson said. “I’m impressed by where she’s at.”

A trio of newcomers also had impressive showings to open the season.

Freshman Morgan Cohen (Soph., Hillsboro, Ore.) placed fourth in the 200 dash with a time of 27.86.

Teammates Anna LaBeaume (Jr., Sequim, Wash.) and Courtney Alley (Jr., Eagle, Idaho) finished 10th and 12th, respectively in the shot put. LaBeaume recorded a throw of 37-6½ and Alley threw 34¾.

“Those are two girls I’m really excited about,” Olson said about the pair of throwers. “They really feed off of each other.”

On the men’s side, Mike Eldredge and Patrick Deptula competed in the 400 sprint and Lester Maxwell (Sr., Corvallis, Ore.) represented Linfield in the 800 run.

NEXT: The ‘Cats face more tough competition when they travel to the Washington Open, hosted by the University of Washington, Feb. 13.