LONG BEACH, Calif. – The Western Washington University Track & Field program wrapped up a successful trip to Southern California with several student-athletes competing in the final day of The Beach Invitational hosted by Long Beach State University at Jack Rose Track.
A large contingent of WWU Track & Field team members competed over the last four days in Southern California at the Bryan Clay Invitational, Mt. Sac Relays and The Beach Invitational.
Saturday’s competition in Long Beach was highlighted by another sub 10.5 performance by freshman Karlington Anunagba in the 100m. The 17-year-old freshman from Lagos, Nigeria placed 6th out of 98 competitors clocking 10.464 (+2.1 wind). Anunagba placed 8th out of 108 runners at the Bryan Clay Invitational on Friday finishing in a near-exact 10.47 time. Anunagba is tied for 4th in NCAA II with his 10.33 time obtained at the Jay Hammer Open on April 13, the 2nd-fastest time in WWU and Great Northwest Athletic Conference history.
“Karlington continues to impress, especially as a freshman, and his start was really good today,” said WWU head coach Pee Wee Halsell. “He had two good races down here and we look forward to seeing him continue to learn and progress.”
Women’s high jumpers Maddie Taylor and Heather Faretta also had great marks on Saturday, with Taylor clearing 1.70m/5-7 (official results are incorrect). Faretta matched her personal best in the competition clearing 1.65m/5-5, the 10th-best mark in WWU outdoor history.
“I thought our high jumpers gained a lot of great experience today, jumping at heights that challenged them in a good competition,” added Halsell.
The trip to Southern California resulted in several top marks in the program and GNAC record books, including junior hurdler Cordell Cummings rising to the No. 2 spot in both the 110m and 400m hurdles in WWU history on Friday at the Bryan Clay Invitational.
“We had a very productive trip to California with several top marks by the student-athletes,” said Halsell. “I think it was a great trip for the team that will pay great dividends over the next month as we head towards the conference championships and hopefully nationals. I am proud of how they competed and looking forward to what they accomplish over the final weeks of the season.”
TITAN 30TH AVENUE TWILIGHT
Senior Ben Crowell raced in the 800m at the Titan 30th Avenue Twilight Meet hosted by Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. Crowell placed 7th out of the 11 competitors with a time of 1:59.45.
