Three Mustangs won individual events, while three achieved qualifying marks for the NAIA Outdoor National Championships, as the TMU men's and women's track & field teams competed on Saturday at the Central California Invitational. The meet, which was hosted on the campus of Fresno Pacific University, consisted of teams from the NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and NAIA levels.
"It was another great day for TMU track and field," Master's head coach
Zach Schroeder said. "18 personal records were set and four TMU school records were broken. Most notably, our men's and women's team captains led the way for their respective teams."
Arianna Ghiorso cruised to victory in the women's 5,000 meters, crossing the line in first place in a time of 17:31.11, more than 45 seconds ahead of her closest competitor. Her time now ranks fourth in Master's program history and qualified her for outdoor nationals.
"What Ari did in the women's 5K was impressive and considering she had no help, even more so," Schroeder said. "She led from the gun, running away from the entire field of competitors. Running 17:31 is a great mark regardless, but doing it solo is remarkable."
Eli Szumera broke his own Master's record in the men's javelin throw to win the event with a personal-best mark of 53.10 m, over six meters further than the second-place finisher. Szumera's farthest threw was just six feet short of qualifying him for outdoor nationals.
Paul Coleman took home first place in the men's pole vault, clearing a height of 3.65 m.
Wesley Methum was the next highest Mustang finisher, placing second in the men's 5,000 meters in a time of 14:35.49.
"The men's 5K was the marquee event of the meet, set up to produce fast times with several rabbits pacing the race through the first mile," Schroeder said. "Wes Methum ran tactically sound throughout the race and took the lead with five laps to go. It came down to a foot race in the last 400 meters. Wes had another phenomenal close. It was an exciting race and a fantastic performance out of Wes."
Like Ghiorso, Methum qualifed for the NAIA Outdoor National Championships by running the fourth-fastest 5K time in program history.
"Wes and Ari climbing to the fourth-fastest 5K performances in our record book is significant, as they join the ranks of former TMU All-Americans and National Champions," Schroeder said.
Teammate
Daniel Rush was close behind Methum in fifth place (14:48.09).
"
Daniel Rush also had an incredible run in the men's 5K," Schroeder said. "I love the confidence with which Daniel races. He's fearless. He stayed with the leaders until the final 800 meters and also hit a national-qualifying mark."
Kevin Pacheco crossed the line in 1:55.03 to place third in the men's 800 meters, while
Bethany Pouliot finished third in the women's high jump (1.47 m).
"
Bethany Pouliot continues to break records in the women's jumps," Schroeder said. "Today it was in the high jump."
Micaiah Scott recorded two individual top-five finishes, placing third in the women's javelin throw (31.34 m) and fifth in the women's triple jump (10.56 m).
"Not long after breaking the high-jump record, Bethany was excited to see teammate
Micaiah Scott break the record she set in the women's triple jump last week," Schroeder said. "Micaiah also broke her own record in the women's javelin."
Mustang Track & Field is next scheduled to compete at the Westmont Classic in Santa Barbara in three weeks' time on March 27.
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