Scott becomes first TMU thrower ever to qualify for nationals

On a day in which 24 personal records were set by TMU Track & Field athletes at the Westmont Classic, one stood above the rest.
 
Micaiah Scott became the first Mustang in program history to qualify for the NAIA National Championships in a throwing event, doing so in the women's javelin. Her school-record and NAIA "A" standard mark of 42.63m placed her second, only behind an NCAA Division I athlete.
 
"The highlight of the meet was certainly Micaiah Scott in the women's javelin," Master's head coach Zach Schroeder said. "When I asked Micaiah what made the difference in her performance today, she said it was reminding herself before every throw that she was competing for an audience of One. I'm way more excited about that than the fact she qualified for nationals, although we're pretty excited about that too."
 
The women's 4x800 meter relay team of Ellen Palmgren, Brooke Milam, Seanna Nalbandyan and Arianna Ghiorso finished first in a time of 9:30.08. The men's 4x800 meter relay; consisting of Davis Boggess, Daniel Rush, Timmy Sterkel and Kevin Pacheco; placed second (7:51.62).
 
"Our men's and women's 4x800 meter teams ran really well today and were both just seconds off the national qualifying standard," Schroeder said. "I am confident they'll be able to hit the mark when we have another opportunity at GSAC."
 
Individually, Pacheco placed second in the men's 800 meters, finishing in 1:54.83. In the men's 1500 meters, Sterkel (4:00.51) and Wesley Methum (4:01.06) crossed the line in third and fourth respectively.
 
In his 3,000 meter steeplechase debut, Colton Low finished fourth (10:12.92).
 
"We had five guys and one girl debut in the steeplechase," Schroeder said. "Colton Low led the way for our men's team and had a great first race. I think he might really find a home in the event. There's a pretty steep learning curve in the steeple and I expect everyone to race significantly better at GSAC."
 
Another notable event debut was from Cameron Fooks in the men's 400 meter hurdles, as the senior became the first Mustang in TMU history to run the event, placing eighth in a time of 58.99 seconds.
 
"He had a great first outing and I'm looking forward to seeing him race it again at conference next month," Schroeder said.
 
Overall, Schroeder was pleased with what he saw from his team on Saturday in a meet in which Master's competed against athletes from the NCAA Division I and II, as well as NAIA levels.
 
"It was another great day for TMU Track & Field," Schroeder said. "It is a privilege and joy to coach a group of young people that never complain about the challenges we've faced this season, but instead choose to joyfully offer their best to the Lord with whatever hand of cards they've been dealt."
 
The Mustangs have nearly a month off from competition until the Golden State Athletic Conference Championships on April 23-24.

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