IRVINE, Calif. – San Diego State track and field continued their record book changing season on day one of the Steve Scott Invitational Friday night as Jessica Kain and Eva Rethmeier each recorded top five times in their respective events.
Rethmeier was the first of the distance runners to compete, running in the 3,000m steeplechase in the early evening. Her first steeple event as an Aztec, she crossed the line in 11:04.95 for a fourth-place finish. Her time ranks fifth all-time in SDSU program history and the fastest since the 2016 season.
In the second to last event of the day, Kain came out victorious in the 5,000m invitational section by just over two and a half seconds. Her time of 15:57.21 is a PR and ranks third all-time on the SDSU top ten list. She is just the fourth different Aztec to record a sub-16 minute time, and the only one to do so since 1982. The mark also sets a San Diego State senior class record, her second this season.
The 5,000m, as a whole, was great for the Aztecs on Friday night. Five athletes also raced in the open section of the event and all five recorded either a personal best or a season best in the race.
Maddie Heller won the open 5k with a personal best 17:35.72, beating the runner by almost 15 full seconds. Melanie Falkowski recorded a season best 18:00.45, finishing fourth overall. Maddy Parrone and Sophia Nevin joined Heller in setting PRs in the race, crossing the line in 18:28.10 and 18:40.55, respectively.
Giselle Galles competed in long jump on Friday night and recorded the best mark of her young career. She jumped 5.36m (17-7) on her first attempt of the day and ultimately finished 18th place.
San Diego State is set for a busy Saturday to close out their final weekend of preparation for conference. There are 15 athletes scheduled to compete at either Arizona's Desert Heat Classic, BYU's Robison Invitational, and UC Irvine's Steve Scott Invitational.
Steve Scott Invitational Results (SDSU and winners only)
800m Run (Invitational)
1. Janiah Brown (Boise State) – 2:08.69
6. Samantha Wood – 2:11.52 (PR)
11. Isabella Fauria – 2:14.10 (PR)
23. Lauren Harper – 2:21.86
Mile Run (Invitational)
1. Samantha Huerta (Valor Track Club) – 4:42.69
16. Vanessa Cabello – 5:08.64
5,000m Run (Invitational)
1. Jessica Kain – 15:57.21 (3rd all-time, senior class record)
5,000m Run (Open)
1. Maddie Heller – 17:36.72 (PR)
4. Melanie Falkowski – 18:00.45 (season best)
13. Maddy Parrone – 18:28.10 (PR)
16. Sophia Nevin – 18:40.55 (PR)
3,000m Steeplechase
1. Hanna Ackermann (Boise State) – 10:28.18
4. Eva Rethmeier – 11:04.95 (5th all-time)
Long Jump
1. Naiah Boardingham (Premier Elite) – 20' 0.25
15. Maya Gorman – 18' 4.25
18. Giselle Galles – 17' 7 (PR)
Two Aztecs Record Top Five Times at UC Irvine
