Nalbandyan, Pacheco run national qualifying times at APU Invite

TMU Track & Field sent a few athletes to the APU Invitational on Saturday with the hope of qualifying more Mustangs for the NAIA National Championships. Master's accomplished just that.
 
Seanna Nalbandyan automatically qualified for the NAIA National Championships in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1:03.09, while Kevin Pacheco provisionally qualified in the 800 meters by crossing the line in 1:53.13.
 
"I felt very calm going into the race today knowing that the Lord already had the outcome planned, so I just went out and gave it my best and was blessed with a qualifying time," Nalbandyan said. "I am just so thankful for all my coaches and teammates who made this happen and I can't wait to go back to nationals with them."
 
Nalbandyan's NAIA "A" standard time, a season-best, placed her third in the event.
 
"I believe the key to today's success was just running for an audience of One, and doing it with a joyful and calm heart," Nalbandyan said.
 
Pacheco finished eighth in his NAIA "B" standard time, the fastest time he has run in his Mustang career.
 
"I'm really happy with today because I accomplished what I came here for which was to run for the Lord," Pacheco said. "Though I didn't hit the time I wanted to hit, I still view this as a good practice for when the real competition comes in Alabama.
 
"In some parts of the race I had no one in front to pull me, so what motivated me to keep going was my coach's words of confidence that were repeated to me every single practice."
 
Cameron Fooks also competed for the Mustangs, running the 800 meters in a time of 1:59.93 to place 15th out of 26 entrants.
 
"Watching my two teammates compete before me was very encouraging and seeing them both qualify made me so happy," Fooks said. "My race went out slow for the first lap which was unfortunate, so I had to take the lead early on in the final lap. I was able to negative split my race which shows that I have a lot more to give.
 
"Although the outcome wasn't what I wanted, I'm so thankful to be able to run with my team. I'm looking forward to competing and giving my all to the Lord again."
 
Master's is scheduled to compete next at the Golden State Athletic Conference Championships on April 23-24.

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