Members of the University of Redlands track & field program competed last week in an effort to improve upon possible qualification marks for the upcoming NCAA Division III Championships. 

The Bulldogs headed to Eagle Rock for the Oxy Invitational on Saturday, with junior Dominic Lopez (Las Vegas, NV) highlighting the team's success with his career-best time of 1:52.02 in the 800.  He now ranks 22nd in all of NCAA Division III with this performance.

In addition, senior Jorge Cervantes (Indio, CA) finished in the top-10 of the meet in the Shot Put (45' 11 ¾") and Discus Throw (147' 7"), while junior Maddie Smith (Hoquiam, WA) continued to shine with a tied-for-second place effort in the High Jump at 5' 5 ¾". 

On Thursday and Friday, freshman Alison Smith (McKinleyville, CA) experienced the first heptathlon of her college career, competing in seven events at the Claremont Classic.  She amassed 4,174 points for 10th place overall.  Her best finish came in the 200 where she took seventh with a time of 26.13, just 0.01 off of the fastest time of her career.  She also registered a career-best height of 4' 9 ¾" in the High Jump to go along with first-time efforts in the 800 (2:46.49) and Shot Put (27' 7 ½").

The Maroon and Gray now looks forward to hosting the Redlands Final Qualifying Meet on Thursday, May 15, and Friday, May 16.  For a complete schedule of events, please review page three of the meet information packet at http://www.goredlands.com/sports/track/2013-14/files/Final_Qualifier_Info.pdf