Several Pirates Qualify for SoCals and WSC Finals at Prelims
The Pirate track and field teams hosted the Western State Conference Prelims Firday at the VC Sportsplex, highlighted by Dylan Roberts' win in the long jump. Brittany McWaid and Emily Stephenson also qualified for the SoCal Regionals while a host of Pirates qualified for next week's WSC Finals in Santa Barbara.
The Pirate track and field teams hosted the Western State Conference Prelims Friday at the VC Sportsplex, highlighted by Dylan Roberts' win in the long jump. Brittany McWaid and Emily Stephenson also qualified for the SoCal Regionals while a host of Pirates qualified for next week's WSC Finals in Santa Barbara.
Coming in as the No. 2 seed, Roberts had three jumps farther than the second place performer from West Los Angeles. His 23'5" leap surpassed his old personal record of 22'9" and moved him to No. 6 all time at Ventura College. Joining Roberts as regional qualifiers included Stephenson, who placed fourth in the women's long jump, and McWaid at fourth in the hammer and fifth in the javelin. The top six finishers in each field event qualified for the Southern California Prelims May 2 at Cerritos College.
"Dylan really performed well," commented head coach Tony Veney, "and I'm really happy for Emily and Brittany who extended their seasons for at least another two weeks."
Several Pirates advanced to the conference finals to be held at Santa Barbara City College Friday April 25. Michael Brown (400m), Brigitte Kiesewetter (1500m), Ruben Juanillo-Mora (1500m), Sam Boyle (800m), Megan Kearney (800m), and Alisha Greenlaw (100m, 100m hurdles, and 200m) will compete Friday for their chance to advance. Additionally, the Pirates have automatic qualifiers for Friday's finals in the men's and women's relays, pole vault, shot put, discus, steeplechase, triple jump and 5000m.
The first field event at Santa Barbara is schedule for noon on Friday April 25, with the first running event going off at 2:00pm at LaPlaya Stadium.