Redlands, Calif. — The Chapman University track and field program showed out strongly on day one of the 2026 SCIAC Championships. Pole vaulter Derek Amlicke and long jumper Lindsey Gray became SCIAC Champions on day one in their respective events. In hammer throwing, Jadyn Ayala earned All-SCIAC honors placing second. In javelin, Eva Ndoye earned All-SCIAC honors placing second. Asher Cleary placed third in the high jump. Rounding out the group, distance star Brenda Daza placed second and earned All-SCIAC honors in the 10,000 meter. 

In the pole vault, Amlicke won going 16-feet, 4.75 inches (5.00 meters). He follows in the footsteps of current Chapman assistant coach and former Division III National Champ runner-up in the same event, Jesse McMillan as the Panthers continue to dominate the event. In the long jump, Gray jumped 18-feet, 3-inches (5.56 meters) to clinch the SCIAC Title. Gray is also already the program record holder in the event. 

In the hammer throw, Ayala placed second throwing 149-feet, 1-inch (45.45 meters). The senior served as team captain throughout the season, and returned to the podium for the second straight season. In javelin, Ndoye placed second with a mark of 130-feet, 2-inches (39.68 meters). She also makes her second consecutive appearance on the podium. In the high jump, Cleary placed third leaping 6-feet, 4.75-inches (1.95 meters). Daza ended off the night placing second in the 10,000 meter final with a time of 37:30.63. She also earned her way on to the podium for the second straight year. 

Several other Panthers had strong showings in preliminary rounds and the first part of the decathlon. Wyn Smoole ranks first after day one of competition the latter event. Mason Fara punched his ticket to the finals in the 400 and 200 meter sprints. Makenna Lizarde also punched her ticket to the finals in the 200 meters after going a personal best 24.99 in the event. She also earned a spot in the 100 meter dash finals. In the 400 dash on the women's side, both Sarah Charles and Audrey Helwig clinched spots in the finals. In the 110 meter hurdles, Regina O'Leary earned her spot in the finals. For more information on all those competing Sunday, click the link here. 

The Panthers will return for day two of Championships at Redlands beginning early afternoon on Sunday. The full schedule of events can be found on the SCIAC website linked here.