The Gauchos returned to the track this weekend at the Ben Brown Invitational, hosted by Cal State Fullerton. The main portion of the meet was held Saturday afternoon, with hammer throws being contested on Thursday and a distance carnival being held Saturday night.
On Thursday Jean Lightfoot set a personal best in the hammer throw by more than 20 feet, reaching a mark of 173-4 (52.83m) to take third in the meet. With the throw she moves up to third on the UCSB all-time hammer throw list. On Saturday she went on to win the discus with a mark of 132-6 (40.40m).
Jeff Campbell got his name in the record books in the 1500m with a time of 3:49.01, which is a new personal best that moves him up to eighth on the Gaucho all-time list. Sarah Vitug set a personal best in the women’s 1500m by running 4:38.80, which is faster than any times set by the Gaucho women last season. In the 800m, Justine Diaz won the women’s race with a time of 2:15.14.
Tamara Thomas and Veronica Gines finished tied for first in the long jump, with both jumpers measuring 17-9 (5.41m) on their longest jump. Thomas also took third in the triple jump with a best mark of 38-1.25 (11.61m). In the high jump, Jane Doolittle picked up another win by clearing 5-8.75 (1.75m).
In the throws, Michael Guerra won the men’s javelin with a toss of 189-4 (57.51m), and Irene Kujore turned in another strong performance in the shot put by throwing 45’0.25″ (13.72m) to take third
The distance carnival featured the first 5000m races of the season. Danielle Domenichelli returned to the track by taking fourth in the women’s “A” section, clocking a time of 16:56.08. Scott Smith took second place in the men’s “A” section by running 14:18.13.
The Gauchos take a week off before returning to the track for the USC Trojan Invitational, which will be held on Saturday, March 20.
