Amidst multiple debuts and career-best efforts, the University of Redlands track & field teams embarked upon the 2019 outdoor season with strong results at the Pomona-Pitzer All-Comers Meet on Saturday in Claremont.
For the women, senior Maria Ramirez (Orange, CA) uncorked a career-best time of 10:32.90 in the 3000 Meters to take 15th. In addition, sophomore Hannah Albrecht (Cottage Grove, OR) fired off the fastest time of her career in the 100 Hurdles by crossing the finish line in 16.16 for 15th place. She also ran a 12.83 in the 100 Meters for 14th.
Among the field events, junior/senior Katie Gonzalez (San Gabriel, CA) impressed with a fifth-place mark of 117' 9" in the Discus Throw. Sophomore Caeli Havel (Pahrump, NV) joined her in the event with her eighth-place distance of 108' 8". Gonzalez also unleashed a heave of 129' 10" in the Hammer Throw to snag another fifth-place result.
Finally, sophomore Brenna Dolen (Redlands, CA) reached a mark of 35' 3 ¼" in the Triple Jump for seventh place.
Among the men's highlights, sophomore MJ Wheeler (St. Louis, MO) impressed in the Long Jump by winning the event with a leap of 22' 4 ½" for a career-best mark. Sophomore Mason Ferrer (Rancho Mirage, CA) registered a distance of 20' 8 ½" for sixth place.
Junior Maliq Champion (Beaumont, CA) took third in the High Jump with a mark of 6' 2 ¾" before running a career-best time of 11.02 in the 100 Meters for eighth place.
In other field events, graduate student Nate Battisti (Seattle, WA) bettered his previous best in the Javelin Throw with today's toss of 158' 5", which placed him fourth at the meet. Senior Matthew Hayashi (Hacienda Heights, CA) recorded a career-best distance in the Discus Throw at 138' 6" to finish fourth. He also came in sixth place in the Shot Put with a mark of 45' 3 ¾".
Finally, junior Tyler Lufkin (Yucaipa, CA) fired off an eighth-place time of 50.77 in the 400 Meters, as senior Nick Burchett (Gold River, CA) quickly followed in 11th at 50.91. Lufkin also ran the 110 Hurdles in 16.30 for 10th place.
Redlands sends select members to the Seattle Pacific Final Qualifier to compete in indoor events on Saturday, February 23, at 5 p.m.