FULLERTON, Calif. – The San Diego State track and field team began their outdoor season on Friday afternoon with the distance runners competing at the AstroAI Distance Classic at Cal State Fullerton. The Aztecs had the top two collegiate runners in both the 800m and 1,500m races.
The 1,500m runners had a great showing, placing four in the top 10. Jessica Kain led the group with a time of 4:21.05, finishing as the top collegiate runner and second place overall. Not far behind the fifth-year senior was Alex Lomeli in fourth, second among collegiate runners, with a time of 4:28.39.
Newcomers Isabella Fauria and Samantha Wood both posted personal bests of 4:32.74 and 4:33.25, respectively. They were the ninth and tenth place finishers in their first outdoor meet as Aztecs.
SDSU closed the afternoon with the top two collegiate finishers in the 800m as well. Tatum Zinkin crossed the line in 2:13.29 to finish third overall, first among the collegiate runners, while Kain was right behind her at 2:13.58, a personal best, for fourth place overall. The duo was one-two in the first of eight heats in the event.
San Diego State continues their outdoor season next weekend at nearby Point Loma Nazarene. The pole vaulters will compete in the Ross and Sharon Irwin Invitational on Saturday, March 16.
Astro AI Distance Classic Results (SDSU and winners only)
800m
1. Samantha Huerta (Valor Track Club)
3. Tatum Zinkin – 2:13.29 (won heat, 1st among collegiate runners)
4. Jessica Kain – 2:13.58 (PR, 2nd among collegiate runners)
11. Isabella Fauria – 2:17.88
27. Lauren Harper – 2:24.09
38. Alex Lomeli – 2:28.22
1,500m
1. Samantha Huerta (Valor Track Club) – 4:20.97
2. Jessica Kain – 4:21.05 (1st among collegiate runners)
4. Alex Lomeli – 4:28.39 (2nd among collegiate runners)
9. Isabella Fauria – 4:32.74 (PR)
10. Samantha Wood – 4:33.25 (PR, SDSU debut)
33. Bailey Watts – 5:06.34
5,000m
1. Abby Hong (Angel City Elite) – 16:07.67
13. Vanessa Cabello – 16:51.37
18. Eva Rethmeier – 17:07.60
29. Maddie Heller – 17:40.83 (PR)
45. Melanie Falkowski – 18:15.78
54. Amber Elias – 18:36.04
55. Maddy Parrone – 18:39.17 (PR)
65. Bella Peretti – 19:13.57 (PR)
3,000m Steeplechase
1. Jadyn Keeler (North Dakota) – 10:42.85
10. Sophia Nevin – 12:05.70 (outdoor debut)
Track and Field Opens Outdoor Season in Fullerton
