LAS ANGELES, CALIF.– San Diego State’s distance team kicked off the Aztec’s weekend in Los Angeles with a strong showing on the track. Eight athletes competed across three different events. The team secured multiple personal bests to go along with top 10 all-time performances by the duo of Sara Jones and Samantha Wood.
The evening began with the 1,500-meter run featuring athletes from UCLA, Pepperdine, Arizona and other west coast programs. Sara Jones led the way with a 4:29.63 that led to a fifth-place finish in her heat. She also officially moved into the programs all-time outdoor top 10 for the 1,500-meter after her personal best performance. The freshman duo of Elliana Lomeli and Emily Russo posted sub-4:40.00 times as well, with Russo’s 4:38.81 time setting a new personal best.
The other record worthy performance came from senior Samantha Wood. Wood, one of the top steeplechase runners in Aztec’s history, finished in first place with a final time of 10:43.63. Wood won the race in convincing fashion, beating the second-place runner by almost nine seconds. She now owns the third fastest steeplechase time in the outdoor record books.
Rounding out the night was the trio of Alexis Wolfinger, Vanessa Cabello and Presley Bennett in the 5,000-meter. Wolfinger was the fastest finisher for the Aztecs posting a huge PR running 17:51.26. Alongside San Diego State, Aztec alumna Jessica Kain who owns the second fastest 1,500-meter performance in program history, won the 1,500 with a time of 4:16.62.
Up Next
The Aztecs will be back at Drake Stadium to compete in the Jim Bush Legends meet tomorrow. San Diego State will be competing in a wide range of events including the shot put, pole vault, multiple sprints and more. The meet is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. PST with Jenna Fee Feyerabend opening the meet in the high jump.
Individual Results
1,500m Run
13. Sara Jones-4:29.63 (10th All-Time, PR)
33. Elliana Lomeli-4:36.97
36. Emily Russo-4:38.81 (PR)
63. Rebekah Niednagel-4:49.78
3,000m Steeplechase
1. Samantha Wood-10:43.63 (3rd All-Time, PR)
5,000m Run
11. Alexis Wolfinger-17.51.26 (PR)
18. Vanessa Cabello-18:23.19
19. Presley Bennett-18.23.50