SAN DIEGO – San Diego State track and field began the invitational portion of the 45th annual Aztec Invitational on Friday afternoon with 12 athletes in competition. Of the 12, five set personal bests in their respective events.
The first event of the day, the hammer throw, was off-campus at nearby UC San Diego. Keira Bennett made the trip into La Jolla for her second meet of her freshman campaign. Her first throw was her best, launching the hammer 45.01m (147-8) to set a personal best. She finished ninth overall in the standings.
Back on their home track, the distance runners competed as the sun set and the Sports Deck lights turned on. The 1,500m runners had a tremendous showing with two program top ten times and four personal bests.
Alex Lomeli paced the group, crossing the line in 4:23.83 for a third-place finish. Not only is that time three and a half seconds faster than her previous PR, it is the fifth fastest mark in program history and the second fastest since 1982.
Samantha Wood and Isabella Fauria pushed each other to the line placing fifth and sixth, respectively. Wood's time of 4:29.20 is the eighth fastest time in program history while Fauria's 4:30.29 just misses the top ten as the 11th best mark. Both are personal bests for the transfer duo.
Vanessa Cabello was the fifth Aztec to PR on the afternoon, crossing the line in 4:35.24 in the 1,500m. She finished second in her heat and ninth overall.
The main portion of the Aztec Invitational will take place tomorrow on the Choc Sportsman Oval/Aztrak. The full day slate of competition begins at 9 a.m. with the javelin and ends just after 5 p.m. with the 4x400m relay.
Aztec Invitational Results (SDSU & winners only)
Hammer Throw (at UCSD)
1. Kaila Butler (unattached) – 217' 4
9. Keira Bennett – 147' 8 (PR)
3,000m Steeplechase
1. Daniella Hubble (San Diego) – 10:38.43
3. Sophia Nevin – 12:19.50
1,500m Run
1. Regina Mpigachai (Northern Colorado) – 4:22.32
3. Alex Lomeli – 4:23.83 (5th all-time)
5. Samantha Wood – 4:29.20 (8th all-time)
6. Isabella Fauria – 4:30.29 (PR)
9. Vanessa Cabello – 4:35.24 (PR)
18. Eva Rethmeier – 4:41.05
5,000m Run
1. Sadie Heeringa (Arizona State) – 16:47.24
8. Maddie Heller – 17:45.97
13. Melanie Falkowski – 18:15.46
17. Maddy Parrone – 18:47.38
18. Amber Elias – 19:00.05
19. Bella Peretti – 19:35.01
Five Aztecs Set Personal Bests to Open Aztec Invitational
