Track and Field Finishes Spring Track Classic on High Note

RIVERSIDE, Calif.—The stands were packed. The cheers were loud. The energy was palpable. It meant only one thing: Day 3 of the UC Riverside Spring Track Classic.

After two days of competition, Saturday marked the final day and also the busiest. It began at 10 a.m. with the women's shot put and ended with the men's 1,600m relay at 6 p.m.

Against competition that included Utah Valley, Sacramento State and UNLV, along with universities from the Southern California area, the men's team finished third and the women's team finished fourth.

One of the biggest areas of success was in jumps. The teams finished in first and/or second place in four events. In her first collegiate meet, freshman Asia Mallory won the women's long jump with a leap of 5.81m, while teammate Jorden O'Neal came in second with a jump of 5.76m.

Ricky Wright Jr. got second in the triple jump with a leap of 14.25m, while Hana Johnson came in second with a jump of 12.02m. Purnima Gunarathna won the high jump, clearing the bar at 1.68m.

"A shout out to the jumps crew. I heard you. I felt you. You showed up," throws coach Candace Fuller told the team after the meet. "It was inspiring. I watched you coming down the lanes and am really excited about the energy your group is creating."

Her group of student-athletes had their own share of success. John Ober finished second in the javelin with a throw of 55.64m and fifth in discus with a throw of 46.72m, which was a personal best. Due to the length of the meet, the throws were close to six hours apart.

Hurdler Quinn Williams also had a day to remember. He won the 110m hurdles with a time of 14.77 seconds and came in second in the 400m hurdles with a time of 53.01. The marks were seventh and eighth in UCR history.

"Before this season, he'd never run under 15 seconds, now he's done that all this year," assistant coach Eric Fremd said. "He really stood out."

Kenday Jackson also had quite the day. She finished second in the 200m dash with a time of 24.38. Senior Ethan Van Setten, running unattached, won the 800m with a time of 1:53.29. Right behind him was freshman Tanner Anderson at 1:53.83.

All of these results, along with many other successful ones, were accomplished right after the stress of finals week. The teams did their best not to let the stress affect their performance.

It was apparent throughout the day just how happy the teams were to be hosting the Classic and took advantage of the unique opportunity. Hana Johnson sang the national anthem to begin the day's track events and at the end of the day, the teams casually walked in and around the track, with the jumpers perched on a wall to watch teammates perform in the discus.

"Despite feeling fatigued coming off finals, we saw people engaged, fighting and clawing even though they did not have a full tank," said track and field director Nate Browne.

This coming week, which includes no classes, will allow the program to rest and recover before next weekend's set of meets throughout California.

To see all of the results, click here.

Players Mentioned

Ethan Van Setten: Mid-Distance; Senior

Quinn Williams: Hurdles; Sophomore

Hana Johnson: Jumps; Sophomore

Jorden O'Neal: Jumps/Sprints; 5' 4"; Senior

Tanner Anderson: Mid-Distance; 6' 4"; Freshman

Purnima Gunarathna: Jumps; Freshman

Asia Mallory: Jumps; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Ethan Van Setten
: Senior
: Mid-Distance

Quinn Williams
: Sophomore
: Hurdles

Hana Johnson
: Sophomore
: Jumps

Jorden O'Neal
: 5' 4"; Senior
: Jumps/Sprints

Tanner Anderson
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: Mid-Distance

Purnima Gunarathna
: Freshman
: Jumps

Asia Mallory
: Freshman
: Jumps