LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Fresh off a successful indoor campaign, the Vanguard track and field team pivoted to the outdoor season on Saturday, and had some outstanding performances at the Occidental Invitational.
The Lions posted three NAIA "A" standard national qualifying marks, as well as four marks that currently rank No. 1 in the country.
Chase Mars (SO/Chino Hills, CA) nearly broke his own school record in the 100 meter dash, winning with a time of 10.55 seconds. He just missed his PR of 10.53. The 10.55 effort currently ranks No. 1 in the NAIA and meets the NAIA "B" standard to qualify for the national championships.
Evan Hernandez (SO/Menifee, CA) moved from sixth to third on the VU all-time top-10 list in the 10,000 meters. He established a lifetime-best, finishing third in his race with a time of 31 minutes, 8.71 seconds. Hernandez bettered his previous PR by nearly 18 seconds. Hernandez is No. 1 nationally with his time and earned the NAIA "A" standard.
The women's 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams excelled on Saturday.
The 4x100 quartet of Jordyn Burke (SO/Yucaipa, CA), Eryn Burke (SO/Yucaipa, CA), Elizabeth Betten (FR/Yucaipa, CA) and Nohemi Anderson (JR/El Centro, CA) finished second in 47.73 seconds, exceeding the NAIA "A" standard of 47.85. That time was the fourth-fastest in VU history.
Betten, Jordyn Burke, Penelopi Leach (JR/Madera, CA) and Eryn Burke teamed up in the 4x400 relay and dominated with a winning effort of 3:53.81, which puts them at No. 3 in the school's record book. The Lions lead the nation by more than three and a half seconds while meeting the NAIA "A" qualifying mark.
Jaelah Butler (SR/La Quinta, CA) tied the school record with a winning heave of 44.89m (147-03) in the women's hammer. She shares the record with Lydia Perrego, who initially set the mark on April 28, 2017. Butler currently ranks No. 1 nationally. Butler also had a third place showing in the discus with a top throw of 34.00m (111-07).
The Lions competed in a wide variety of events on Saturday.
India Moors (SO/Oceanside, CA) finished fifth in the women's 10,000 meter run in 39:28.95.
Faith Hunt (JR/Yorba Linda, CA) came in second in the long jump, clearing 5.02m (16-05.75). Leach followed in seventh with a leap of 4.53m (14-10.25).
In the women's 100 meter dash, Jordyn Burke (12.47), Armiyah Johnson (SR/Compton, CA) (12.70) and Anderson (12.84) placed sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively.
Kaylee Jones (SO/Redding, CA) finished sixth in the shot put with best throw traveling 9.88m (32-05).
The men's 4x100 relay team of Terence Williams (FR/La Palma, CA), Chris Watson (JR/Hesperia, CA), Gemaal Britt (SR/Corona, CA) and Mars placed second in 42.02 seconds.
Edgar Sactic (FR/Gardena, CA) finished sixth in the triple jump and 10th in the long jump with marks of 12.16 (39-10.75) and 5.65 (18-06.50), respectively.
Blake Rodriguez (SR/Yucaipa, CA) and Austin Fortenberry (SO/Riverside, CA) posted fourth and fifth place finishes in the javelin, clearing 42.85m (140-07) and 41.00m (134-06), respectively.
What Was Said?: "Our athletes impressed us today with some spectacular performances in their outdoor season debut," said Head Coach Bryan Wilkins. "We know there's a lot more in the tank too, so we're excited for what's ahead!"
