LA VERNE, Calif. – Chapman University's track & field teams put together a historic performance 12 medal-winning performances, three SCIAC champions and the best team finishes at the SCIAC Championships. The Panthers took fourth in the men's standings and fifth in the women's standings with two more event wins on day two.
The highlight of the day went to the women's 400m final as Allie Kremer came won her first career SCIAC title and was joined by teammate Kaylee Smith on the podium in third place. Kremer came in with a winning time of 57.48 while Smith finished at 58.24. Proud Kitnitchiva finished eighth in the event as well.
Another Panther title went to freshman Azriel Shakur, who captured the discus championship. He won the title by more than a meter with a throw of 44.14 meters (144-feet, 9-inches).
The women's sprints continued to be a bright spot throughout the sunny afternoon as three Panthers competed in all three finals. In the 100m dash, Makenna Lizarde took fifth with a 12.51 to lead a trio of Panthers, including Khyra Stiner in seventh and Zoe Zurasky in eighth. In the 200m dash, it was Lizarde's 25.92 again leading the way with Smith taking sixth and Kremer finishing seventh.
All four relay teams reached the podium for Chapman as well. The women's 4x400m relay team took second with a time of 3:55.77 – just three-tenths of a second behind the event champions from Pomona-Pitzer. The 4x100m relay team finished third with a school record time of 47.47.
Both men's relay teams also finished third as the 4x100m relay team set a new school record with a 42.07. In the 4x400m relay, Chapman finished with another school record time of 3:17.39.
Stiner finished sixth in the 100m hurdles and Katarina Maric took fifth in the 400m hurdles. Jadyn Ayala took sixth in the shot put to lead the Panthers in the throwing events.
In the men's events, Mason Fara took fourth place in the 400m dash while Burton took seventh in the 100m dash. Alec Desuasido just missed the podium in the triple jump as he finished fourth.
Jesse McMillan had a career day in the high jump as he finished in second place when he cleared 1.82 meters (5-feet, 11.5-inches). He led three Panthers to score in the event with Evan Giacobbe finishing in fifth and Matt Becker taking sixth. McMillan also tied for third in the pole vault when he cleared 4.56 meters (14-feet, 11.5-inches), Arne Christiansen took eighth in the event.
Several Panthers will continue to try and position themselves for a run at a bid to the NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships over the next several weeks. Chapman heads to the Oxy Invitational next week.
By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director
