TAYLOR BIRD
Sports Assistant
Senior Chris Ogle took first place in the men’s 3000-meter steeplechase and freshman members of the Pepperdine men’s and women’s track and field teams set a total of eight school records Saturday at the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational in Pomona, Calif. This meet concluded the season for most of the two squads but a few will move on.
Ogle’s winning time of 9:24.83 was more than eight seconds faster than second-place hurdler Luis Castaneda of Vaqueros United.
Other notable men’s performances included that of freshman Eric Magana, who placed 11th in the 800 meters with a time of 1:55.84. Freshman David Williams was right behind Magana in 12th at 1:56.07. Both of these finishes set first-year Pepperdine men’s records.
Williams said he tried a new approach in the 800 meters and was satisfied with the results.
“I got my best time of the season,” he said. “I just tried a new racing strategy. I tried to run out front and take the lead [early].”
In the men’s 500 meters, freshman Conrad Wozniak broke the tape at 15:18.67 to earn 10th place and surpass his personal best.
Freshman Amanda Ajdari of the women’s team had a big day, placing 16th in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.74, and anchoring both the 4×100-meter relay (49.75) and the 4×400 (4:03.97), to break three school records. She also earned an impressive 11th-place finish in the 100-meter dash at 12.72.
Freshman Aneka Myles also performed well and set two school records, placing 19th in both the women’s shot put (10.29m) and the women’s discus (31.71m).
In the women’s 1500 meters, freshman Chelsea Wishard established a personal record with a time of 4:45.64 for ninth place.
“For the majority of the team, it was their last race,” Wozniak said. “It was a really solid showing for everyone on the team.”
The Waves’ next tournament will be the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational at UCLA on Friday. According to Wozniak, those from the men’s team who will continue the season include himself, Magana, Williams, Ogle and sophomore Garrett Reim. Wishard and junior Courtney Young will move on from the women’s team.
04-10-2008