SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Talent depth was on display Saturday at the Westmont Sunshine Indoor Open as Vanguard track and field athletes set four more indoor records.
Eryn Burke (SO/Yucaipa, CA) headlined the women's performers as she became the indoor record holder in the 200 meters with a time of 25.04 seconds. It marked the fourth indoor record that Burke has participated in this season after taking the down the 400 meters (55.26) and 600 meters (1:33.57), as well as being a part of the 4x400 relay (3.53.93) in previous competitions.
She also competed in the 60 meters this afternoon, posting a time of 7.91 in the prelims for the 8th-fastest indoor mark of all-time at VU.
The men established three new school records.
Sprinter Chase Mars (SO/Chino Hills, CA) broke records in both the 60 and 200 meters while finishing first in each race. He clocked 6.79 seconds in the 60, replacing Alec Duran and D'Anthony McGowan, who both posted 6.84 in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
He won the 200 in 21.30 seconds.
In the field events, Aaron Solorzano (FR/El Centro, CA) rewrote the indoor record book for triple jump, clearing 42-00.75 (12.82m). It also was the sixth-best mark on the all-time top-10 list for both indoor and outdoor.
The Lions registered additional top-10 performances on the combined indoor and outdoor lists.
In the women's 200, Jordyn Burke (SO/Yucaipa, CA) and Elizabeth Betten (FR/Yucaipa, CA) landed ninth and 10th with respective times of 25.42 and 25.65.
Jaelah Butler (SR/La Quinta, CA) won the weight throw with a heave of 51 feet, 6.5 inches (15.71m), the second-best indoor mark in school history. Kendra Battcher (FR/O'Neals, CA) posted the ninth-best mark after clearing 33-02.50.
Chris Watson (JR/Hesperia, CA) competed in the heptathlon and was victorious with 4,287 points, finishing third on the all-time list. He won four of the seven events, including running the 60 meter hurdles in 8.47 seconds. That represented the fourth-fastest time in VU history.
Other strong performances took place, as Penelopi Leach (JR/Madera, CA) took first in the pentathlon with 2,841 points. She was victorious in the 60 meter hurdles (9.80) and 800 meters (2:34.67).
Jordyn Burke finished third in the women's 60 meters in 7.88 seconds.
The women's 4x800 relay team of Kate Baranski (SO/El Cajon, CA), Jessina Morales (SO/Lake Elsinore, CA), India Moors (SO/Oceanside, CA) and Olivia Finch (FR/Heppner, OR) placed second in 9:58.38.
Butler finished third in the women's shot put with a top mark of 36 feet, 9.50 inches (11.21m).
The men's 4000m distance medley relay team of Anthony Hernandez (FR/Phelan, CA), Justin Ramirez (SO/Alta Loma, CA), Cooper Anderson (FR/Murrieta, CA) and Evan Hernandez (SO/Menifee, CA) came in fourth place with a time of 11:11.01.
Morales, Elizabeth Betten, Karla Sanchez-Ruiz (SO/Los Angeles, CA) and Baranski suited up for the women's 4000m distance medley relay and finished second in 12:35.65.
What Was Said?: "Our athletes had another remarkable day of competition," said Head Coach Bryan Wilkins. "Lots of PR's and a handful of school records. There were many gritty performances today and shared camaraderie around the track."
What's Next?: The final meet of the indoor season is set for Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Soka Indoor in Aliso Viejo. Competition begins at 10:00 a.m.
