SHUHEI MATSUO
Sports Assistant
The newly formed Pepperdine women’s track team competed in its inaugural race at the 2006 Ben Brown Invitational hosted by Cal State Fullerton on Saturday.
Although a minimum of 14 runners is required to participate in a NCAA meet as a team, only seven members of the Pepperdine women’s track team competed. The Waves were not able to compete as a team, but they did individually.
Freshmen Julia Ann Frudden and Brittany Yearout debuted in the 800-meter race. Frudden turned in a time of 2:37:09 finishing sixth place in the heat, while Yearout was right behind with a 2:38.47 to finish seventh.
After the 800 meter, three Waves competed in the 1500-meter race with freshman Brieanna Carroll turning in the best showing with a fifth-place heat time of 5:02.26. Junior Beth Bedingfield finished fifth in her heat with a 5:29.53 clocking, and freshman Ashley Burt posted a 5:49.25 for the ninth-place in her heat.
Junior team captain Kyla Maher and freshman Marissa Kerby raced in the 10-kilometer race where they turned in times of 40:26.17 and 41:59.98, respectively.
Even though four Waves were planning to participate in the mile relay, they were left out in the cold and hailing weather and couldn’t participate because the team forgot to bring a baton, according to sophomore Lauren Carfioli.
Although the forgotten baton kept Carfioli from competing in the competition, she said she was excited that the team made its debut.
“I think we can have a good year, but this is definitely a building year,” she said.
As a cross-country runner, the main goal for this season is to work hard, finish with their best times and build toward the winning cross-country season next fall, she said.
Another runner was not able to run at the meet, but with a different reason.
Freshman sprinter Hilary Fields joined the team soon after the semester began. However, her status was not cleared by the NCAA until Monday, two days after the meet, she said. She also said she is eligible to run for this weekend’s Cal State Northridge Relay.
“I’m really excited and can’t wait to compete,” she said.
03-16-2006
