COSTA MESA, Calif. – Eva Ndoye broke her own school record and newcomer Josie Ray broke another record as the Chapman University track & field teams started the 2026 season at the OCC Opener on Friday. Ndoye overtook the school shot put record she set as a freshman last season and Ray cleared a new high jump record as the Panthers won 14 combined events.

Ndoye won the javelin throw but it was her shot put that provided the highlight with a school record. Her second attempt flew 12.38 meters (40-feet, 7.5-inches) to set the school record and place her second in the event.

Ray won the high jump when she tied the school record after clearing the bar at 1.60 meters. The previous school record was set 24 years ago and stood until Ray's next jump. She cleared the bar at 1.65 meters on her first attempt to surpass the school record in her Chapman debut.

Lindsey Grey's winning long jump attempt of 5.18 meters (17-feet) came on her first attempt of the season and she also went on to win the tiple jump. Makenna Lizarde won a pair of sprints, crossing the finish line first in the 60m and 200m dash. Valerie Noria won the 5k and Brenda Daza took first in the 1500m to round out the event wins for the Chapman women's team.

Mason Fara was the only multiple event winner on the men's side as the reigning SCIAC Track Athlete of the Year swept the sprints with first-place finishes in the 200m and 400m dashes. He also anchored the winning 4x100m relay, closing out the win along with teammates Alex Vasquez, Wyn Smoole and Chris Kanemori.

Isaac Robin – the 2024 SCIAC Field Athlete of the Year – started his season with an event win as well. Robin won the triple jump.Asher Cleary won the high jump after clearing the same height as teammate Evan Giacobbe with fewer misses. Brandon Foley added another win for the Panthers with the winning throw in the javelin.

The Panthers head to an indoor meet in two weeks with members of both teams traveling to the Battle Born Classic in Reno, Nev. On Feb. 12-14.