April 15, 2012

Fullerton, Calif. - Long Beach State's men's team and UC Santa Barbara's women's team defended their championships Sunday at the Big West Challenge Track and Field Meet Sunday at Cal State Fullerton.

The 49ers won their fifth Challenge in a row while the Gaucho ladies bagged their third in a row.

The 49er men totaled 222 points to edge UC Santa Barbara with 200.5. UC Irvine had 144 and Cal State Fullerton had 96.5.

The Gaucho women scored 212.5 points to top runnerup Long Beach with 172. UC Irviine was third with 156.5 and Fullerton was fourth with 113.

Titan highlights in their final home meet of the season included a meet record equalling performance in the women's 4x100 relay and a personal best in the women's pole vault by Kara Kalmar.

The Titans' relay squad of Krizia Apelar, Katie Wilson, Deena Pierce and Ashley Sims clocked 45.85 with UCI second in 46.77.

Kalmar cleared 12 feet, 5 1/2 inches on her third try. Kayla Kamaka of Long Beach State won the event on fewer misses with Kalmar second. Both failed at 12 feet 10 1/2 inches, which for Kalmar would have bested Jennifer Clarke's 2003 school record of 12 feet, 10 1/4 inches.

Fullerton competes next weekend in both the Mt. Sac Relays and the Cal State L.A. Twilight Open.

Complete Results