(RICHMOND, Va.) While Westmont students and faculty are enjoying spring break, 49 track and field athletes and three coaches have made their way to Richmond, Virginia for a week-long trip that includes competition at the University of Richmond and touring historic sites along the East Coast.
Friday and Saturday saw the Warriors compete with 19 other institutions – including William and Mary, Virginia Commonwealth, Army, Mount Saint Mary’s, Fordham and Virginia Military Institute – in the Fred Hardy Invitational.
In the men’s events, Evan Kramer placed ninth in the 1500 meters, posting a time of 3:56.11, which meets the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field provisional qualification standard.
Tyler Bradford placed fifth in the 3,000 meter race, posting a time of 9:07.14. Daniel Erickson claimed third place in the 5,000 meter race, missing the provisional qualifying time by less than one second with a time of 14:59.96.
Competing in the women’s 400 meter dash, Taryn Phipps placed first among 43 competitors in a time of 57.07. Phipps notched a provisional qualification with her time and was just 0.07 seconds off of the automatic qualification mark.
Also taking first and earning a provisional qualification was Terri Baker in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Baker finished the course in a time of 11:27.82. The mark was a career best for Baker and the third fastest time in Warrior history.
The women’s 4 x 800 meter relay team placed third. Their time of 9:32.71 was just 0.11 seconds off of the provisional qualification standard.
Among the distance runners, Emily William posted a time of 39:40.00 to claim third place. Kelly Collins notched a fourth place finish in the 5,000 meters with a time of 18:13.86 and Jessica Meyers took sixth in the 3,000 meters in a time of 10:24.04.
Sunday began the historic part of the trip. After worship services at St. John’s Church, the group visited Jamestown Fort as well as Colonial Williamsburg and William & Mary.
Monday, the team visits Mount Vernon and several memorials around Washington D.C. including the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Jefferson Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
On Tuesday, Westmont student-athletes will visit the US Capitol and be led on a tour by Jay Pierson, a 1969 Westmont alumnus. Pierson has worked 34 years in the House of Representatives and currently serves as Floor Assistant to Speaker of the House John Boehner.
Wednesday and Thursday, the team will visit the Gettysburg Visitor Center and walk the battlefield, including following Pickett’s Charge to Cemetery Ridge.
