March 22, 2008
LOS ANGELES - The San Diego State track and field team wrapped up competition at the Trojan Invitational at Loker Stadium on the campus of the University of Southern California on Saturday. The one-day event served as a final tune-up prior to the Aztecs defending their Cal-Nevada Championship title from one year ago.
Junior Shana Solomon enjoyed a productive day as she finished second in 100-meter dash with a time of 11.86 and then was runner up in the 200 after crossing the finish line in 24.38. Solomon was also a part of the 4x100 relay team of Alicia King, Jessika Hornsby and Decontee Kaye, which improved upon their NCAA West Regional qualifying time for a second straight week after finishing the race in 45.53.
In the distance races, junior Kristin Glen and Alyssa Robinson both set personal records in the 3,000-meter run. Glen recorded a time of 10:55.74, while Robinson crossed the finish line in 10:37.36.
In the 1,500, sophomore Darien Buc clocked in with a time of 4:38.79, to set a new personal record and finished ninth of 38 competitors.
Freshman Kyanna Thomas set a personal record in the 200 with time of 24.80 and then set a season best in the 400 with a mark of 56.70.
In the 100-meter hurdles, San Diego State had two athletes establish seasonal bests. Junior Kristin Olafsdottir ran 14.55, while freshman Briana Johnson completed the competition in 14.57.
Senior Mandy Upuu put forth a strong showing in the 800 after she posted a time of 2:11.59, to finish second after battling an Achilles injury prior to the race.
In the pole vault, SDSU was well represented as senior Monica Pacas won the event after clearing 13-1.50, while sophomore Stephanie Bagan vaulted the identical height. Junior Dana Jensen qualified for NCAA regionals with a leap of 12-7.50 and senior Christin Shibley improved upon her personal-best leap after she cleared 12-7.50 as well. Joanna Burley and Marie Brown also set personal records on the day to complete the SDSU effort in the competition.
In the triple jump, junior Decontee Kaye won the event for a second straight week and finished ahead of classmate Shana Watson, who came in third place. Watson also finished in third place in the long jump with a leap of 17-1.25.
In the throwing events, Andrea Martinez established a personal record in the hammer with a throw of 166-5, while Laura Boggeln won the first flight of the shot put with a toss of 40-9.
Next week, San Diego State will look to defend its title at the Cal-Nevada Championships in Fresno, Calif., beginning on Friday, March 28.