RIVERSIDE, Calif. - With over 700 days in-between competitions the CSUSB Women's track and field team make their way back to the track to pick up where they left off two whole seasons ago. The Yotes opened their season at the Riverside City College's Early Bird meet to kick off their 2022 campaign. Two words rang true amongst many of the competitors: Nervous and excited.
"There was a lot of nervous energy going in and people were unsure of how they would do after such a long hiatus from the sport. Instinct kicked in and we had strong performances across the team, finishing in second place (as a team)." – Coach Lauren Podgaysky
The CSUSB Yotes managed second place as a team scoring 155 points with a well rounded scoring effort from all the events with the throws leading the way. The throws managed 57 points between 3 events, distance scored 47 points over 4 events, sprints came through with 39 points over 5 events, and the jumpers pitching in 12 points over 2 events.
The throws came through with a force lead by the senior Tayler Salley. Salley placed in all 3 of her events including a victory in the hammer throw (49.68m), second place finish in the discus (35.44m) and a fifth place finish in the shot put (10.11m) earning the highest points scored for the team at 22 points.
Abby Venglass in her first collegiate meet as a Coyote managed two top-two all time marks in the hammer throw and shot put respectively. She threw the hammer a distance of 44.37m and won the shot put with a distance of 11.48m. Venglass also managed a top 5 all-time performance in the discus throw with a mark of 34.39m.
"It was amazing being out on the track again. I felt like I had so much support between my other teammates and coaches. I'm excited to see the improvements from everyone this season." – Abby Venglass
Senior, Victoria Soto earned a personal best in the hammer with a throw of 32.19m, improving her 5th spot on the all-time top 10 list, and finished with a strong opening throw to earn third place in the discus throw (34.39m).
The CSUSB Yotes managed 15 top 10 all-time marks 9 of which were in the "indoor" distances, which are races typically ran during the indoor track and field season. Savannah Milner, Miranda Avila, Tayonna Hargrove, and Khloe Bracken all managed top 10 marks in the 600-meter run with Milner leading the way in a winning time and school record of 1:44.77.
Joanna Lopez and Nicole Renteria earned two of the top 10 marks in the 2-mile run. Lopez managed to cross the line at 12:27.94 to earn a new school record and Renteria at 12:29.44 earning a 2nd all-time performance.
"It felt so good getting back on the track after three seasons of not being able to race. After being able to race it was just as if I had never been away from it. The feel is like no other and the love and passion I have for it really is indescribable. I can't wait to keep working and seeing the progress not only I make but as well as my teammates. We have big things coming our way." – Nicole Renteria
CSUSB took the victory in the 4x800 meter relay with Miranda Avila, Nicole Renteria, Joanna Lopez and Savannah Milner in a time of 10:29.35.
Justine Ziranda, Genesis Obispo and Caty Gaynor worked well together as a pack to collect 12 additional points for the team in the 1 mile run at fourth, fifth and sixth place in the event.
Journie Alexander opened her CSUSB career with two top 10 all-time marks, 2nd all-time in the 60-meter dash at 8.02, which also finished second overall in the event. Her leap of 4.84m in the long jump put her 7th on the all-time performance list. Destiny Colton and Kaleigh Giannone also competed in the long jump managing marks of 4.75m and 4.55m. Maya Price finished out the day for the jumping events with a leap of 1.45m earning her a second place finish and third place finish in the 60-meter dash (8.06) scoring 11 points for the team.
Maame Banahene and Alexandria Owens represented the sprints in the 300-meter dash posting solid performances at third and fouth place gaining 11 points for the team. Owens earned the 4th spot on the all-time performance list.
The team of Journie Alexander, Maame Banahene, Alexandria Owens, and Maya Price passed the baton around in the 4x100 meter relay to the time of 49.21, which earned second place at the meet and 8th all time. Banahene, Owens, and Price along with Giannone competed in the 4x400 meter relay to conclude the meet clocking in a time of 4:09.76, placing 5th in the event.
With the performances on display, the head coach feels good heading forward. "We have a record-breaking season ahead of us" – Coach Lauren Podgaysky
CSUSB Will be back on the track at the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Rossi Relays on February 26th, field events start at 10:30am, running events at 11:30am. Come out and support your Yotes!
