SAN DIEGO– San Diego State had a successful first day at the UCSD Triton Invitational with strong showings in the long jump, 200-meter dash and multiple distance events. Overall, the team had five individuals finish in the top five of their respective events, including three sprinters taking second, third and fourth in the 200-meter dash.
Xiamara Young returned to the jumping pits for the first time since competing at the NCAA Indoor National Championships. Despite opening the meet with three faults she rebounded with a 5.94m jump on her fourth attempt that vaulted her to first place. The Aztec’s all-American will look to ride this momentum into the rest of the season. Freshman Alexandria Rogers posted a 5.01m jump as well.
On the track, Aztec’s sprinters dominated the leaderboard in the 200-meter dash. Aji Mbye made her outdoor debut in the 200m and claimed second place running 23.46. The freshman duo of Kelia Bentham and Shari Hurdman were not far behind running 23.67 and 23.76 respectively on their way to earning third and fourth place. Mikaela Warr and Taylor Anyansi were also in the top 25 of finishers across a field featuring over 100 competitors.
The distance team also continued to perform well. Samantha Wood once again is one of the team’s top performers in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Coming off a first-place finish at the Bob Larsen Distance Carnival, Wood finished in third. She has now strung together three consecutive strong outings in the steeplechase and is currently the second ranked steeplechase athlete in the Mountain West.
The final event of the day was the 5,000-meter run featuring Emilia Greenway, Presley Bennett and Maddie Heller. Greenway, a freshman, led the way with a personal best of 17:38.01 to earn 10th place. It was the first top 10 finish of her collegiate career.
Up Next
The Aztecs will be back at UC San Diego tomorrow for the second day of the Triton Invitational. The meet will begin at 9:00 a.m. PST with the first Aztecs competing at 10:00 a.m. PST as San Diego State’s nationally ranked pole vault team kickstarts the competition.
Individual Results
Long Jump
1. Xiamara Young-5.94m
22. Alexandria Rogers-5.01m
200m Dash
2. Aji Mbye-23.46
3. Kelia Bentham-23.67 (PR)
4. Shari Hurdman-23.76 (PR)
14. Mikaela Warr-24.56 (PR)
23. Taylor Anyansi-25.00
3,000m Steeplechase
3. Samantha Wood-10:50.30
5,000m Run
10. Emilia Greenway-17:38.01 (PR)
17. Presley Bennett-18:16.71
26. Maddie Heller-19:19.21