CLAREMONT, Calif. – It was an eventful day at Strehle Track for Vanguard men's track and field, as a VU cashed in on a pair of medals and a few top 10 performances in program history. The hurdles saw Landon Torress and Cohen Swift overtake a nearly 20-year record within the history books, while Ommar Arroyo staged standout showings in the distance department. Blake Bazaldua also set a new personal best to re-establish himself in the top 10 of discus throws.

What Happened? Landon Torres was fourth in the 400H with a career mark of 55.44. It marked the third-best VU time in program history. He was tracked by Cohen Swift, who was sixth with a 56.23 time, the fourth-best Lion run in the event ever. Both runners overlapped Zach Powell's trek by nearly two seconds, passing the 57.27 run that was set in April 2026. Freshman Robert Torrez came in at 1:01.21, which was a new personal best.
The 200m saw another Lion clasp a personal-best, with Brandon Pereira rolling in at 23.60.  Jonathan Krynicki was the only representative in the 400m, taking 15th with a 49.98.

Jesse O'Campo led the Lions in the 800m and 1500m, with personal bests in both races. His 1:57.04 in the 800m gave him 26th place, and his 4:02.52 for the 1500m put him in 38th. Following O'Campo in the 800m were Cooper Anderson (1:58.59) and Donovan Ralls (1:59.34), who followed a couple of seconds behind in his debut in the event. Rylan Starnes posted a personal-best run at 4:30.93 in the 1500m.

Vanguard took a podium spot in the 110H with Joab Vela's 14.89 finish. Chris Watson was eighth with a 15.24 run.

VU's 4x400 team (Brandon Pereira, Cooper Anderson, Landon Torres, Jonathan Krynicki, Cohen Swift, Jesse O'Campo, Rylan Starnes) finished in 3:24.55.  

Ommar Arroyo was the champion in the 3000m steeplechase, wheeling in at 9:26.68, which was both a personal best and the fifth-fastest time in program history, surpassing Zach DeAtley's 9:27.12 from April 2017.

Caleb Dickerson was seventh in the race, with a 9:59.69 time, setting a new personal best for the sophomore.

Beau Swett was fourth in the long jump with a 21' 6¾" result on his second attempt. Trevor Bode was close behind, taking fifth place with his 21' 6¼" pass on the second try. Deyton Ford was seventh (21' 4¾") on his fourth and final attempt.

Vanguard's Addison Altermatt was the only Lion in the high jump, with a freshman placing 12th, clearing 5' 7¼".

Bazaldua marked ninth and a new personal best in the discus throw, clocking in the fourth best Vanguard throw in program history (139' 6"). His shot put and hammer throw metrics placed him 22nd, 39' 3¾" and 28th, 111' 10" respectively.      

Closing out the field event was Josiah Kirby, who peaked at 32.36m in the javelin throw.

What's Next? VU heads to the Bryan Clay Invitational next Friday, April 17.