April 5, 2008
CLAREMONT, Calif. - The San Diego State track and field team had three pole vaulters, one sprinter and a long jumper establish personal records on Saturday at the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational contested at Strehle Track. In addition to the PRs, three Aztecs logged NCAA regional qualifying performances, while the SDSU 4x100-meter relay team emerged victorious for the third straight week.
In the pole vault competition, San Diego State finished with the top two collegiate performers in Stephanie Bagan and Monica Pacas. Bagan equaled her personal record from a week ago after clearing 13 feet, 7.75 inches, marking the third time in her four outdoor outings that the sophomore has been the top collegian in the event. Pacas, meanwhile, established a new PR after she vaulted 13-1.75. Both Bagan and Pacas' efforts were regional-qualifying marks. The third Aztec in the group to PR was Joanna Burley, who cleared a height of 12-2.00.
Sprinter Alicia Lowery joined the pole vaulters in setting new personal records after she finished the 200-meter dash in 24.53 seconds. The senior also ran the first leg of the winning 4x100 relay that included Shana Solomon, Jessika Hornsby and Kyanna Thomas. The quartet finished ahead of the pack with a time of 46.16.
In the long jump, Kai Wheeler established a new personal best with her leap of 18-8.00. Prior to today, the sophomore's top effort was 18-1.00 accomplished in the preliminaries at the Cal-Nevada Championships. Wheeler's jump today eclipses her previous PR of 18-5.25 set at last season's California Collegiate Challenge.
In the 400-meter hurdles, junior Kristin Olafsdottir completed the race in 1:00.65 to record her second straight NCAA regional-qualifying time. Classmate and fellow hurdler Corri Campbell-Fell competed in her first-ever 800-meter run and came in third place with a time of 2:13.78.
Kristin Glen and Mandy Upuu were also first-timers in each of their respective events and both turned in strong performances. Glen competed in her first steeplechase and was third overall (11:28.06; SDSU season best), while Upuu raced in the 1,500 and crossed the finish line 12th out of 85 runners (4:47.41).
In the 400, Sherraine Pencil was clocked at a season-best 56.37 in the 400 to finish in seventh place.
Former Aztec All-American Erin Asay recorded the top clearance and an A Olympic Standard in the pole vault, while former standout SDSU sprinters Melinda Smedley and Tonette Dyer finished 1-2, respectively, in the 100 and 200.
San Diego State will return to the track next week when it travels to Knoxville, Tenn., for the Sea Ray Relays.