ORANGE, Calif.—10 athletes from the Chapman track & field programs held their own at the Battle Born Indoor Invitational in Reno, Nev. against mostly Division I and Division II competition. Senior star sprinters Mason Fara and Makena Lizarde led the way breaking multiple school records. Wyn Smoole, Charley McCarthy, Alex Vasquez and Fara broke a relay record and Smoole rounded out the day breaking a hurdles record. 

In the 60 meters, Fara went a 6.87 placing inside the top 10 times during his preliminary round run. Lizarde finished just inside the top 40 going a 7.83. Both athletes broke the program record. In the 60 meter hurdles, Smoole finished seventh in the finals going 8.55 to break his own record. 

In the field events, Derek Amlicke held his own as a pole vaulter. He recorded the program's second highest pole vault ever going just over 16 feet in his final jump. Current assistant coach Jesse McMillan owns the pole vault record he set a season ago. Amlicke finished third in a competition of all Division I and II programs. 

Back on the track, the 4x400 relay comprised of Smoole, Vasquez, McCarthy and Fara finished in third setting a new program record of 3:15.96. That time also places the group in the top 15 nationally. To round out the meet, Fara and Lizarde set new program records in the 200 meter sprint. Lizarde went a 25.41 finishing just outside the top 40. Fara went a 21.65 finishing in seventh. 

"The young men and women performed at a high level and can use this meet as a springboard into the outdoor season," Chapman track and field head coach Tony Veney said. 

Chapman now gears up to compete at the Ron Kamaka Open Invitational Feb. 19-21 at Mount San Antonio College.