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Los Angeles, CA – The Occidental track and field team competed in their second multi-dual of the season. The Tigers scored against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Caltech, but only took the victory from the Beavers. Regardless of the loss to the Athenas/Stags, the Tigers continued to prove themselves and show off the immense hard work they have been putting into their season.
The women started off hot with a PR from the 4x1 team (50.08), consisting of Karis Palomino, Francesca Candelieri, Emmamarie Watkins, and Elizabeth Hawley. Hawley brought that energy into her 400m performance and came out on top with a massive two second PR (58.77), placing her third overall. Tia Akasaki and Alexa Poremba followed Hawley with two more outstanding PRs in both the 400m and 200m. Akasaki hit 28.34 in the 200m and 1:03.40 in the 400m. Poremba reduced to 1:05.03 in the 400m.
Ciara Gillen, Merrick Hoel, Jenna Lenay, and Olivia Correia took major leaps in their performances in the 1500m. Additionally, Gillen (4:50.04), Hoel (4:57.52), and Lenay (4:57.66) placed fourth, seventh, and eighth, respectively. Nell O'Hara really pushed herself in the 800m, resulting in a three second PR (2:27.61). In the 400m hurdles, Gillen continues to outperform herself and the rest of her competition with another PR (1:09.93). On the field, Keena Brescia placed fourth and PRs by four feet in the hammer throw (111'04"), making this the fourth time she's PR'd this season in the hammer. Michelle Lagunas-Monroy's season best throw in the javelin placed her second overall (104'5"). Kate Cobain had an impressive performance in javelin with a 10 foot PR (98'3"). Emily Dolida set new PRs in the long jump (15'3.5") and triple jump (33'1").
The men started equally as strong with a new PR for Tye Hernandez in the 110m hurdles, placing him in second (15.95) with Harrison Williams right behind him in third (16.88). Joshua Lo (4:18.34) and Jonathan Hewings (4:26.52) set huge PRs for themselves in the 1500m. Baruch Goodman (49.71) and Nick Leon (50.17) secured themselves in the top three, second and third, respectively, in the 400m dash. Nick Martin (51.47) and Tobias Searcy-Jorgensen (52.23) were not too far behind Goodman and Leon with new PRs. Christopher Haliburton in the 100m pushed himself to the limits, resulting in a new PR and sixth overall (11.15). Matthew VIckers beat his lifetime best from last season by two seconds in the 800m (1:54.48). Additionally, Josh Abeyta pushed himself to a new PR as well (2:07.63). Harrison Williams PR'd in the 400m hurdles (57.77). Haliburton added another PR after running a speedy 200m (22.92).
On the runway, Duncan Ellis PR'd in the triple jump (39'2.5"). In the shot put (31'4") and discus (89'9"), Oscar Hernandez showed off his immense progress by PR'ing in both events. Nico Morales is primed to PR in the javelin soon as he has progressively been getting closer to his mark this season. Morales threw 131'1" on Saturday.
The Tigers will be splitting their talents between two meets this upcoming week. Half of the Tigers are competing on Friday, April 7 at the Whittier Twilight, and the other half will attend the Pomona-Pitzer Invite on Saturday, April 8.
