LONG BEACH & AZUSA, Calif. – The Western Washington University Track & Field team continued to put up solid performances during the second day of its Southern California trip at the Bryan Clay Invitational and the Beach Invitational.

 

Senior Marian Ledesma highlighted the performances that included seven program top 10 marks improving her own school record in the 800m. Running on her former home track at Azusa Pacific, Ledesma ran 2:08.94 to narrowly beat her previous WWU best of 2:08.98 set at the Bryan Clay Invitational last season. The All-American is in pursuit of her collegiate PR of 2:07.31 set in the event while competing for APU.

 

Junior Meaera Nystrom set a PR and recorded the No. 3 time in program history in the 10,000m at the Bryan Clay Invitational clocking 36:18.94, with junior Emma Smith also setting a PR in the event in 37:13.42 to remain at No. 9 in WWU history.

 

Junior Sophie Wright had a standout performance in the open 800m at the Bryan Clay Invitational with a PR of 2:12.40 for the No. 3 time in Western history.

 

Sophomore Ashley Reeck clocked the fastest 5000m mark of her career in 17:02.41 to move up to No. 5 in WWU history.

 

On the men's side, junior Jeret Gillingham ran 14:27.07 in the 5000m to rank No. 9 in WWU history and sophomore Connor Palmen continued his rise running 1:52.37 in the 800m to move into the top-10 in program history.

  

Here is a breakdown of results for WWU competitors at the Bryan Clay Invitational hosted by Azusa Pacific University at Cougar Athletic Stadium:

 

Men's Results:

800m: Drew Weber (86th-invite, 1:51.13), Connor Palmen (56th-open, 1:52.37)

5000m: Jeret Gillingham (49th, 14:27.07)

Hammer Throw: Angelo Ramos (3rd, 53.60m/175-10)

 

Women's Results:

800m: Marian Ledesma (87th-invite, 2:08.94), Sophie Wright (72nd-open, 2:12.40), Emmy Kroontje (123rd-open, 2:14.70)

5000m: Ashley Reeck (30th, 17:02.41)

10,000m: Meaera Nystrom (20th, 36:18.94), Emma Smith (34th, 37:13.42), Ella Edens (38th, 37:44.32)

Discus: Katie Potts (8th, 44.59m/146-3)

Hammer Throw: Mara Parks (28th, 43.83m/143-9)

 

Here is a breakdown of results for WWU competitors at The Beach Invitational hosted by Long Beach State University at Jack Rose Track:

 

Men's Results:

Long Jump: Troy Roberson (6.87m/22-6.5), Gabe Menicke (6.64m/21-9.5)

Triple Jump: Gabe Menicke (14.47m/47-5.75), Troy Roberson (14.29m/46-10.75)

Javelin: Andrew Nelson (54.44m/178-7)

 

Women's Results:

High Jump: Kora Cook (1.61m/5-3.25)

Pole Vault: Sydney Mohlman (3.61m/11-10)

 

The Vikings wrap up their Southern California trip with the with final day at the Bryan Clay Invitational (hosted by Azusa Pacific) and the final day of the Beach Invitational (hosted by Long Beach State). WWU also has a few competitors entered in the Larry Byerly Invitational in Portland at Eldon Fix Track on the campus of Lewis & Clark College. Next week the Vikings are scheduled to compete in the CWU Wildcat Invitational in Ellensburg. The complete 2024 WWU Track & Field schedule can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/TF.