April 29, 2012

Redlands Wins Men's Track Championships, while CMS and Cal Lutheran Share Women's Crown

The University of Redlands men’s track & field team wrapped up its second consecutive Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) championship on Saturday night, earning 144 points for an eight-point margin over second-place Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges.  Coupled with a 7-0 showing in the multi-duals, Redlands ran the table during the conference season.

The University of La Verne was the only other school to break the century mark in points, earning 111 for third place at the championship meet.
The Bulldogs gained 12 top-3 finishes, highlighted by sophomore Chris Bode’s (Elk, WA) double-title effort in the Javelin Throw (184’ 6”) and Pole Vault (15’ 5”).
 

In addition, senior Cameron Clark (Bellevue, WA) defended his 400m Hurdle crown, uncorking a time of 53.94.

Sophomore Darron Usher (Yucaipa, CA) notched the team’s third individual championship, winning a jump-off in the High Jump at 6’ 5 ½”.

Finally, the 4x100m Relay of senior Richard Nakaoka (Redondo Beach, CA), junior Daniel Wallengren (Calabasas, CA), Usher and freshman Taylor Browning (Carbondale, CO) uncorked a winning time of 42.14.
 

On the women’s side, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Cal Lutheran earned a share of the 2012 championship. CMS had 164 points, which was 32.5 more than second-place Cal Lutheran University, but when combined with regualr season results the teams will share the title.  La Verne finished third with 118.5 points as the only other school to break the 100-point barrier.

The Athenas notched 14 finishes among the top three while also recording multiple top-5 showings in the 1500m, 800m and 5000m.  This mark CMS’ 14th conference title after sharing the honor with Redlands in 2011.
Like the Bulldogs, the CMS women completed the conference sweep after winning all seven dual meets during the season.
 

CMS prevailed in both hurdle events, with Rose Lewis out-leaning her opponents in the 100m Hurdles with a time of 14.78 and Meg O’Keefe firing off a time of 2:15.76 in the 400m Hurdles.

 

Breanna Deutsch headed up an impressive Athena effort in the 5K, winning the title in 17:26.61.  She was joined by three teammates among the top five finishers. 

 

Similarly, Kelly Garton posted a championship effort of 2:15.76 in the half mile, with CMS also collecting third and fourth.