TMU Track & Field off to strong start at GSAC Championships

Wesley Methum's victory in the men's 10,000 meters capped off a strong first day for TMU Track & Field at the Golden State Athletic Conference Championships, held at Westmont College.
 
"It was really exciting to see recent Cross Country All-American, Wes Methum, run such a strong race in the men's 10K and pace his teammate, Brint Laubach, to a national qualifying mark," Master's head coach Zach Schroeder said. "Wes demonstrated such selflessness, leading the race start to finish, which requires a tremendous amount of energy, to help Brint accomplish his goal."
 
Methum finished first in a time of 31:32.50, while Laubach placed third, crossing the line seven seconds later (31:39.48).
 
"I couldn't ask for a better example of Christlike humility and servanthood than what Wes brings to my men's team," Schroeder said of his team captain. "I'm super thankful for Brint's effort as well. He ran a focused and determined race from beginning to end and I'm really excited to bring him with us to Alabama."
 
Micaiah Scott continued to make history for the TMU Women, becoming the first Mustang to ever win the GSAC women's javelin title. Earlier this season, she became the first-ever thrower in program history to qualify for the NAIA National Championships in a throwing event.
 
"I did not come into this season planning to throw the javelin, but the Lord opened that door for me," Scott said. "I feel very blessed for the opportunity that I've been given to compete here and at this level."
 
Scott increased her mark with each of her six throws, winning the event with a final throw of 38.17m.
 
"God has been very gracious to me and I just came out today focused on Him and hoping to give him glory through what He's blessed me with," Scott said.
 
Both Mustang 4x800 meter relay teams won their respective races, with the women's quartet of Brooke Milam, Seanna Nalbandyan, Ellen Palmgren and Arianna Ghiorso crossing the line in a time of 9:33.19.
 
"It was a fun opportunity for our 4x8 to win conference and there are no girls I would rather do it with," said Ghiorso, women's team captain. "We were trying to qualify for nationals today, so we were bummed to miss the qualifying time by a few seconds but thankful to represent the Lord today."
 
The Mustang Men followed suit, with Timmy Sterkel, Zach Garey, Davis Boggess and Kevin Pacheco finishing first in 7:52.69, just narrowly missing a national-qualifying mark.
 
"We were so close to qualifying, but on a positive note Zach Garey put down an amazing split," Pacheco said. "As a freshman, him giving us that amazing effort gives me hope that he will do great in the future."
 
The two Mustang relay teams will now wait to see if they stay in the top-16 in the NAIA to qualify for the national championships.
 
"Although disappointed to miss qualifying, both teams were thankful to walk away as GSAC champions in the event," Schroeder said.
 
In the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase, the Mustangs claimed second and third-places with Joshua Duarte (9:40.02) and Colton Low (9:48.21) earning All-GSAC honors. Ryan Harris (10:13.21) and Levi Robert (10:19.41) followed in fifth and sixth place respectively.
 
"JJ and Colton ran very well, improving from their first attempt in the event several weeks ago," Schroeder said.
 
Kimberly Page also earned All-GSAC recognition in the women's 10,000 meters, placing second in a time of 39:06.39. Sophie Southerden (39:48.57) finished a few spots behind in fifth, while Autumn Nootbaar (40:31.74) crossed the line in sixth.
 
"Standout performances by Kimmie, Sophie and Autumn in the women's 10K," Schroeder said. "It was a debut in the event for all three women and I couldn't be happier with how they executed their race plan."
 
Eli Szumera saved his best throw for last in the men's javelin to place fourth (45.72m), while Priscilla Gutierrez finished fifth in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase (14:19.23).
 
Megan Carbajal leads the women's heptathlon after the first day of competition. She placed first in the shot put (8.74m), while placing second in the high jump (1.47m), 100-meter hurdles (17.78 seconds) and 200 meters (29.43 seconds).
 
"Megan had a fantastic day one in the women's heptathlon," Schroeder said. "I'm super excited to see how her final three events go tomorrow."
 
Three Mustangs qualified for Saturday's 800-meter finals. Palmgren placed second in her heat and third overall in the women's preliminaries with a time of 2:23.47. In the men's prelims, Cameron Fooks (1:58.82) and Pacheco (1:59.34) both finished second in their respective heats, fifth and sixth overall, to advance to the finals.
 
"Ellen, Cameron and Kevin ran great tactical races in the prelims of the open 800 meters, easily advancing to the finals tomorrow," Schroeder said.
 
Both TMU Track & Field teams are currently in third place, with the men accumulating 55 points and the women tallying 39 points on day one.
 
Master's is set to compete in the second and final day of the GSAC Championships on Saturday. The meet will be broadcast at: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/westmont/