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Los Angeles, CA – The Occidental track and field team went head-to-head against Pomona-Pitzer, Chapman, Redlands, and Cal Lu for the last competition before going into the SCIAC championships. Although the Tigers only secured one win due to the tough competition, they continued to push themselves, resulting in numerous personal bests for many of the athletes.
Emily Dolida started and ended the day off strong with PRs in the long (4.76m) and triple jump (10.15m). Rylee Cockett also rose to the challenge with a new PR in high jump (1.47m). Keena Brescia and Chelsea Groves had big PRs in the discus (31.14m and 29.67, respectively). Gabriella Knutsen placed third overall for shot put with a throw of 37'0.5". Ciara Gillen continues to show how strong she is competitively with a second place finish overall in the 3K steeple and a new PR (11:37.52). Merrick Hoel took third overall in the 1500m with a new PR (5:02.69). Jordan Deemer and Mei Mei Bayman ended their day with a new PR in the 1500m, running 5:14.40 and 5:20.07, respectively. Eliza Hawley took first overall in the 400m (59.25). Tia Akasaki and Alexa Poremba each ran a new PR in the 400m (52.99 and 1:04.48) and 200m (28.25 and 29.21). Mia Ness and Emma Patton secured second (2:26.07) and third (2:28.39) overall, respectively in the 800m. The women's 4x4 consisting of Akasaki, Candelieri, Poremba, and Hawley, secured second place overall (4:11.29).
On the men's side, Harrison Williams earned second overall in the 110m hurdles, earning himself a new season record (16.60). Baruch Goodman placed second overall in the 200m (22.37) and the 400m (49.82). And Toby Searcy-Jorgensen beat his old PR in the 200m (23.04) and 400m (52.06). Chris Haliburton continues to slowly make his way into the 10s by PR'ing in the 100m (11.08). Additionally, Sydney Shipp and Carson Van Kalsbeek earned new PRs in the 100m, both running 11.88. Matthew Vickers had a huge PR in the 800m, cutting his time by three seconds (1:53.87), placing him first overall. Chase Miller and Josh Abeyta also had outstanding PRs in the 800m, finishing with 2:00.79 and 2:07.50, respectively. Oxy's Hurdle U swept the 400m hurdles with Jacob Torres in first (54.35), Jonah Magill in second (55.24), and Tye Hernadez in third (57.11) overall. Magill's placement earned him a new PR in the 400H (55.24). In addition to Haliburton's PR in the 100m, he also earned a new PR in the 200m (22.81). Similar to the women, the men's 4x4 consisting of Magill, Torres, Hernadez, and Searcy-Jorgensen, placed second overall with a time of 3:22.17.
The Tigers will compete in their last meet of the season on April 29 and 30 at the University of La Verne for the SCIAC championships. The preliminaries will take place on Saturday and the finals and relays will be held on Sunday.
