The Master's University men's track team sent their NAIA Nationals qualifiers to race in the elite APU Franson Last Chance meet this weekend in Azusa, Calif.
TMU had three runners run the 1500m, including seniors
Jack Anderson and
Emmanuel De Leon, while
Hunter Roy competed in both the 1500m and the 800m.
Anderson, who ran one of the top 1500m times in school history at UCLA earlier in the season, was in the second-fastest heat of the meet. Despite a quick early pace, Anderson was able to close his final lap in 58 seconds and record a 3:47.
This was less than a second off his personal best and his third 1500m of the season which was sub-3:50. Anderson has qualifying standards in the 1500m, 5000m and 10000m heading into nationals.
Roy raced in both the 1500m and the 800m. On Friday, the All-American notched the second-fastest 800m of his career, finishing in 1:50.18. He then doubled back on Saturday with a 3:52 effort in the 1500m. Roy has qualified for nationals in both events, as he ranks eighth in the 800m and 17th in the 1500m in the NAIA.
Emmanuel De Leon also took part in the 1500m and dipped under four minutes by running 3:59. This was a personal best for the senior as he was able to finish his last lap in 62 seconds as his fastest lap of the race. De Leon is qualified for NAIA Nationals in the 5000m, with his mark of 14:32 and he ranks 15th in that event.
"This meet showed that everyone is focused and ready for nationals," TMU Head Coach
Daniel Rush said. "Each athlete either matched their personal best or came very close to it. Our aim is to represent Christ through how we compete one last time."
The Mustangs will compete next at the NAIA National Championships on May 20-22 in Asheville, North Carolina.
