SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Vanguard women's track and field team sits in third place following day one of the Golden State Athletic Conference Championships on Thursday.
The Lions competed in six scoring events and compiled 54 points. Host Westmont led with 75 points, followed by second place The Master's with 57. Jessup (43), Arizona Christian (18) and OUAZ (17) round out the standings.
Jaelah Butler highlighted the performances on day one as she broke her own school record in the discus. The senior took gold in the event, throwing 40.06m (131-05). Her previous best was 130-01 at the Ross and Sharon Irwin Meet on March 18.
In addition's to Butler 10 points, Aaliyah Espinoza picked up six more with her third place finish in the discus at 38.84m (127-05).
The Lions finished second in the 4x800 relay as Olivia Finch, Karla Sanchez-Ruiz, Penelopi Leach and Kate Baranski posted a time of 9:56.78 for eight points.
Jessina Morales and India Moors combined for 10 more points after placing third and fifth in the 3000 meter steeplechase, respectively. Morales clocked 11:55.93 and Moors followed in 12:25.66. In another long running race, Sanchez-Ruiz scored three points with her sixth place finish (40:40.41) in the 10,000 meter run.
Faith Hunt posted a fifth place finish with four points in the long jump, clearing 5.09m (16-08.50).
The Blue and Gold racked up another 10 points as four women finished fifth through eighth consecutively in the javelin. Elsa Riddle led the way with a throw of 28.83m (94-07). Butler was next at 28.56m (93-08), and Julianna Holm (25.71m) and Ariana Rodriguez (25.28m) rounded out the scorers.
In the heptathlon, Leach claimed the lead after four events with 2,260 points. Keying her lead were victories in the 100 meter hurdles and 200 meters. She also tied for third in the high jump.
As expected, the Lions moved several sprinters through to Friday's finals with impressive performances in the preliminaries.
Eryn Burke finished first in the 200 meters (24.95) and 400 meters (55.51). Five Lions qualified for the 200 finals as did four more in the 400.
Jordyn Burke had the fastest finish in the 100 meters with her time of 12.16 seconds. Dorothy Jackson (12.25) finished first in her heat, and Nohemi Anderson (12.44) also qualified for the finals. Jordyn Burke also owned the fastest 400 meter hurdles time with a 64.66 showing. Jackson (68.45) and Jane Freeman (68.64) will join her in the finals.
In the 100 meter hurdles, Leach led her heat and posted the second-fastest time overall in 15.36 seconds. Jordyn Burke qualified for her third individual final in 15.58.
Baranski concluded a busy day on the track with her second and third events, qualifying for the finals in the 800 meters and 1500 meters. She ran 2:25.41 in the 800 and 5:22.22 in the 1500.
What Was Said?: "There were so many great performances today including loads of PR's, a school record and numerous athletes advancing to Friday's finals," said Head Coach Bryan Wilkins. "We're very proud of our athletes for performing at a high level and rallying around their teammates with amazing support."
What's Next?: Day two of the women's championship begins at 11:00 a.m. with the shot put as the Lions seek to win their second straight GSAC title. The first running event will be the 4x100 relay at 12:30 p.m.
