Track and Field Returns From Steve Scott Invite

The women's 4x100 team earns a regional berth among other action on the weekend.



Jessica Branker was the top collegiate finisher in the 100m, as well as running a leg on the 4x100 relay team.

May 4, 2008

Irvine, Calif. - Long Beach State competed against most of their Big West Rivals this weekend at the Steve Scott Invitational. The UC Irvine meet is one of the largest meets this weekend, and the 49ers posted a number of improved marks.

Starting off the meet Saturday, Carly Harris had a career high in the steeplechase. Her 11:09.22 time improves on her already No. 3 LBSU mark. For the men, Josh Ruff qualified for the Big West Championships in the steeplechase, just beating the entry time with a PR of 9:39.13 and joining Dylan Jaedtke and Josh Arrietta.

Two of the 49ers field athletes continued their excellence Saturday, as Rob Jennings and Chris Richardson both easily passed regional qualifying marks in hammer and javelin respectively. Richardson was top collegian with a throw of 208'10," and Jennings hurled a 190'6" throw in the hammer. Kristina Price also set a lifetime best in the hammer with a 155' even throw. Price also set a career-high in the discus Sunday with a mark of 150', joining Katelyn Ciarelli (3rd) and unattached Jen Onyeagbako (1st) as 49ers with top marks in that event.

Sunday's times were highlighted by the women's 4x100 relay team. After coming within hundreths of a second of qualifying for the NCAAs the last two weeks, the team finally pushed over the top with a time of 45.41, taking third place and passing the necessary 45.70 seconds for a regional berth.

A key member of that team also had a quick 100m individually. Jessica Branker ran a lifetime best 11.62, the top collegiate time in the 100m dash and fourth place overall in an international field. Mandi Rosencrantz also ran a season-high 400 of 57.51.

Sarah Apgar led the distance runners on Sunday. Her 4:34.15 time in the 1500m run was good for sixth place among 64 runners in the event.

Out on the track for the men Saturday, Brent Gray won the 200m with a season-high 20.93, and Kelsey Caesar was third in the 400m with a time of 48.24. Chris Lawson also finished just outside of the podium in the 110m hurdles, setting a PR of 14.51.

Most of the 49ers will head to the Claremont Invitational, the final tuneup prior to the Big West Championships. However, the heptathletes and decathletes will jump right in, participating in the Big West Multi-Event Championships on May 9-10.