March 4, 2007
Los Angeles, Calif. - An NCAA regional qualifying mark by pole vaulter Dalya Taman and a school record in the women's discus by Jameena Hunt highlighted Cal State Fullerton's first outdoor competiton of the track and field season at the UCLA Invitational on Saturday.
Taman cleared 12 feet, 5 1/2 inches to tie for third place in the event. Hunt threw the discus 142 feet, 9 inches.
Fullerton also did well in the sprints, the relays and the long jump.
"We were very pleased with our start," said Head Coach John Elders. "We are ahead of where we opened last year in every event. Saturday's performances demonstrate how our kids have worked very hard. We had a tough training week, and for our kids to perform as they did was very positive.:
Among the other highlights:
LeRon Brown cleared 6 feet, 8 3/4 inches in the men's high jump and logged a mark of 22 feet, 5 inches with a short approach in the long jump -- "It was a very good day for his first collegiate meet," said Elders.
Amanda Eichmann ran the steeplechase in 11:22.10 (fourth place) -- "her opening meet last year was over 12 minutes," said Elders.
Kelly Figueroa leaped 18 feet, 1 inch (seventh place) with a short approach in the long jump.
The men's 4x100 relay team of Jon Prater, Marcus Barosso, Chris Epstein and Lawrence Trice ran 40.86 to win their race.
Roberto Archibold was only one second over the regional qualifying mark in his first collegiate 400 meter hurdle race, placing second in 53.67 (he ran 300 meters in high school).
Barosso (21.58) and Pratter (21.78) ran two-three in the 200 meter dash.
The women's 4x400 relay team (Kandace Wilson, Nancy Blake, Brittany McClellan and Kimiah Hudson) placed second and ran a very fast 3:43.18... or about 10 seconds better than their opening meet of a year ago, when they went on to qualify for the NCAA Regional meet.
In the 200, Wilson ran the third fastest time (24.63) in CSF history.