The University of Redlands track & field programs competed in the 2016 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Championships at Occidental College in Eagle Rock on Friday and Saturday. While recording a combined three event-wins, seven other top-three finishes, and multiple individual improvements, the Bulldog teams each finished fifth in the meet standings.
The Redlands women captured three event titles at the meet, with sophomore Mandy Widen (Vail, AZ) winning the Pole Vault with a career-best height of 11' 10 ½". Junior Alison Smith (McKinleyville, CA) took home the championship in the 100 Hurdles for the third year in a row, with this season's mark being among the fastest in her career at 14.54. Finally, sophomore Vanessa Blanchard (Palmdale, CA) won the High Jump title in her second season by clearing a height of 5' 3".
In addition, Redlands gained quality performances from senior Lauren Roberts (Portland, OR), who finished third in the 10,000 Meters with an All-Conference time of 37:57.69. Junior Jessika Snincsak (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) closely followed in fourth place with her career-best time of 39:03.22, which now ranks second all-time in Redlands history.
Sophomore Courtney Crain (Happy Valley, OR) joined Smith among the top finishers in the 100 Hurdles by taking fourth with a time of 15.66.
Sophomore Kaylee Jorgensen (Claremont, CA) uncorked a third-place time of 2:17.23 in the 800 to collect All-SCIAC honors for the second year in a row.
Finally, the 4x100 Relay of Crain, junior Jasmine Ramos (Santa Fe Springs, CA), freshman Kara Romani (Sacramento, CA), and Smith clocked a time of 48.95 to take home All-Conference accolades as the third-place quartet.
For the men, senior Joey Colucci (San Jose, CA) recorded a second-place time of 10.91 in the 100 Meters for All-SCIAC recognition, while junior Myles Speegle (Castro Valley, CA) quickly followed in 10.96 for fourth.
Freshman Nick Burchett (Gold River, CA) impressed in his inaugural SCIAC Championship by uncorking a career-best time of 53.59 to make his way onto the podium in second place for All-Conference honors.
Sophomore Afari La-Anyane (Morgan Hill, CA) put together a third-place showing in the 110 Hurdles by crossing the finish line in 14.94 to earn All-SCIAC accolades.
In addition, the 4x100 Relay of freshman Luke Bohlinger (Mercer Island, WA), Colucci, Speegle, and freshman Nathan Munoz (Rio Rancho, NM) fired off a third-place time of 41.71. Although it finished in seventh place among a blistering race, the 4x400 Relay of Burchett, freshman Jason Gonsalves (Waltham, MA), Bohlinger, and La-Anyane uncorked the Bulldogs' fastest time of the season when it crossed the finish line in 3:27.23.
Redlands heads to the Claremont Classic Heptathlon/Decathlon on Thursday, May 5, and Friday, May 6.
