SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. – The Embry-Riddle outdoor track team had a successful day at the Westmont Classic, as runners on both the men's and women's side set new NAIA and program records. The Eagles have continued to get better with each event so far in the outdoor track season, and Saturday was an excellent performance.
Ariana Anderson had the best day of them all, overtaking this season's best time in the steeplechase. Anderson's time of 10:47.65 is now the NAIA's best time this Spring, and was a over a full minute better than the second-place finisher on Saturday.
Anderson also won the 5000 meter race, coming in at a time of 17:27.67. Anderson and second-place finisher Kari Anema of Westmont were close all race long, but Anderson was able to take the two-second victory at the end.
Nicholas Hernandez set a new program record in the 1500 meter race, posting a time of 4:00.97. Hernandez finished fifth overall, and teammate Austin Lemus won his heat in the 1500 and finished 11th overall (4:07.65).
Hernandez did finish first in the 5000 meter race, crossing the line with a time of 15:19.39. The Eagles had three of the top four finishers in the 5000 meter, as Doutimi Fakrogha came in third and Kyler Castro placed fourth.
The Eagles had a great showing in the women's 1500 meter race, as they had three top-15 finishers on Saturday. Makenna Bray and Josephine Banks finished 1-2 in their respective heats on the way to a 14-15 overall finish, and Josephine Gregory finished sixth overall with a time of 4:54.86.
Embry-Riddle will have a couple weeks off in preparation for the Bryan Clay Invitational. The first day of the two-day event in Azusa, Calif. is scheduled for Wednesday, April 13.
