The CSUSB women's track and field team competed at the Long Beach State Beach Opener March 4th and 5th. This unscored meet showcased several of the top athletes and teams in the region, a meet that featured several seasons top marks for the athletes' respective countries as well as a top 10 mark in the world currently in the men's discus.
Tayler Salley achieved a program first at the meet with her 2nd round attempt in the hammer throw Friday. Her throw of 52.93m (173'08") achieved the NCAA Provisional standard in the event. This is the first provisional mark in any throws event in the school's history. Her throw also sets her 5th in the nation as of this writing. Her throw in the hammer also earned her CCAA Field Athlete of the Week.
"It was an incredible feeling to hit the provisional mark. I actually had no idea I had thrown that far until I heard the mark. I am so excited and grateful to have been able to accomplish a season goal so early in the season." – Tayler Salley
Sariyah Copeland, racing in the fastest heat, worked her way into the CSUSB all-time list coming in at #4 with a time of 12.41. This received 9th overall at the meet and earned her a CCAA conference championship qualifying time. Her and her teammates, Maame Banahene, Ladaijah Wright and Alexandria Owens, ran an exceptional race in the 4x400m clocking in a time of 4:00.46, earning 4th all-time CSUSB and 7th overall at the meet.
The 4x100m team of Journie Alexander, Sariyah Copeland, Maame Banahene, and Maya Price competed well in the competitive heat that featured five division one programs and CCAA team Cal Poly Pomona, coming across the line in a time of 48.65, good for 6th in the heat.
Journie Alexander jumped in the long jump and climbed up in the record book improving upon her previous position in the top 10 from 8th to 4th all time. This jump also achieved a CCAA conference qualifying mark.
Alexandria Owens also ran in the 200-meter race earlier in the day crossing the line in a time of 26.36. This is earned her 8th all-time at CSUSB. Ladaijah Wright also competed in the open 400m event, with a time of 1:01.81, this earned her 8th all-time at CSUSB.
Caty Gaynor opened her season in the 3000-meter steeplechase in the first race of the day, clocking in a personal best time of 13:14.71, earning her a top 10 mark at CSUSB coming in at #9.
Joanna Lopez led a group of four Yote runners in the 1500 meter with a team leading time of 5:16.22. Nicole Renteria (5:22.85), Genesis Obispo (5:29.71; Personal Best) and Lindsay Calderone (5:53.37) round out the quartet in the event. Tayonna Hargrove and Marissa Angulo competed in the 800-meter race, running in times of 2:38.81 and 2:46.81 respectively.
Heptathlete Kaleigh Giannone competed in six events over the two-day meet, she was featured in the Javelin, Shot put, Long Jump, High Jump, 100m Hurdles, and 200 meter sprint where she achieved PR's in the High Jump, Long Jump, Javelin and 200 meters. She will be competing for in her first heptathlon on March 24th and 25th at San Diego State University.
Abby Venglass competed all four throwing events over the weekend with strong performances in the hammer (44.42m, 145'9'') and shotput (11.38m, 37'8''). Victoria Soto earned a PR in the hammer throw in her 3rd straight meet with a mark of 34.93m (114'7'').
CSUSB will be competing with a split squad going into the weekend. Sprints and Field events will be going to the Ben Brown Invitational at Cal State Fullerton on Friday and Saturday and the Distance group will be heading to the Occidental Distance Carnival at Occidental College on Saturday. Check the schedule on the csusbathletics.com for more information.
Come out and support your Yotes!
