The Moorpark College Raiders track & field team traveled to Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa to compete in the Coast Classic Friday afternoon. “The competition was great, the weather perfect and our athletes were amazing”, said Coach Traycie Kephart.
The highlight of the day came from freshman, Sara McDonald. Sara ran her 400m race with state-leader Christen Rivers of Antelope Valley. Finishing 3rd behind Rivers, they both broke the meet record. McDonald’s personal best of 56.40 set the Moorpark College school record for the women’s 400m race! The previous record (56.64) was held by Kim Hall (1986) and tied by Crystal De Naeyer (1996). McDonald’s time moves her into the #3 spot on the state list for the 400 behind Rivers of Antelope Valley.
Other highlights include a 7 second PR by Megan McNally in the 1500. McNally finished 3rd in a time of 4:45.
Niko Althaus had an exciting day in the pole vault. Althaus finished 2nd behind Cal State, Long Beach alumni Nicholas Armstrong.
Ashley Hamilton ran very strong today and improved her time in the 3,000m steeple by 22 seconds to finish 4th in a time of 12:17. Teammates Julio Tellez and Martin Arreola finished 4th (10:11) and 6th (10:23), respectively in the men’s 3000m steeplechase.
Austin “Dewey” Benson placed 2nd in the hammer with a throw of 149’11” and 3rd in the discus (141’ 4.85”). Patrick Smith finished 3rd in the shot put (46’ 11”) while Benson placed 4th with a throw of 45’ 10.75”.
Shawn Tedjasaputra placed 5th in the 400m (49.82), James Effarah finished 7th in the 400m (50.91) and Kyle Roes placed 8th in the 110 hurdles (18.79).
Next week, the Raiders will compete at the Mt. Sac Relays on Saturday, April 14th.