Hempy, Hodges, Rowan post qualifying marks

Kristin Hempy improved her heptathlon score by 53 points while competing at the Claremont Classic IX Heptathlon on Thursday and Friday.

Hempy entered the competition with the thirteenth highest score recorded in the NAIA this season and as of Saturday morning, moved up to number 11.

The athletes with the top 16 scores through May 14 will be invited to compete at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in Marion, Indiana from May 24-26.

Hempy also competed in the Cal State Los Angeles Last Chance Qualifier Meet on Saturday where she earned an automatic qualifying mark for the national championships of 41.49 meters (136-1) in the javelin. Hempy’s mark was good enough for a second place finish in the event.

Also posting automatic qualifying marks at Cal State LA were freshmen Shane Rowan and Elysia Hodges. Rowan’s triple jump of 14.95 meters (49-0.75) bettered his season best mark by 0.15 meters and set a new school record in the event. Rowan finished in sixth place.

Hodges placed third in the 400 meters with a time of 55.61 seconds. Hodges finished just 0.01 seconds off her own school record which she set on March 3 at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships, making it the second fastest time in the Warrior record book.

Posting provisional qualification marks were Amanda Chevalier and Taylor Frantom. Chevalier ran a time of 12.24 seconds in the finals of the 100 meters. Chevalier’s time is the fourth best in both her career and by a Warrior sprinter.

Frantom finished second in the pole vault with a personal record and season best mark of 3.51 meters (11-6.25). The vault was the second highest in Westmont history.