LOS ANGELES, CA – The Leopards track and field team added three program top-10 times at the Occidental Distance Classic this past weekend. The men's and women's squads both notched five personal best times in the meet.
As the temperatures cooled near the end of the day, the Leos' performances heated up. Decorated cross country and track runner
Ryleigh LaRue, a senior from Azusa, eliminated five seconds off her previous PR in the 800. This new time not only won her the heat but also earned her the number seven spot on the all-time La Verne performance list.
Chloe Chong (5:27.61),
Ximena Alvarado (5:39.27),
CC Flaherty (5:35.81), and
Mariah Huizar (5:51.33) all added personal best times in the 1500m. Flaherty is new to the track and field team and is already making waves. Previously a volleyball player, CC is no stranger to hard work, and her back-to-back PR weekend exhibits that.
Not to be outdone, the men followed suit, with a PR from Zyeir Lesley-Shanete in the 1500m, with a time of 4:05.63. Nic Saenz and Logan Coszek PR'd in the 5000m, with times of 15:49.66 and 16:28.26. Freshman
Eamon Wright earned a whopping 42-second PR in the 5000m with a time of 15:12.60 and put himself at No. 9 on the ULV top-10 list.
Finn McClure led the Leopards in the 800m with a time of 2:00.49.
Before the evening closed, Upland native
Joseph Chavarria ran a 32: 68.62 10K, a personal best that landed him at the 10th-best time in La Verne history.
"It was a solid effort by the distance group. Everybody competed well and put themselves in positions for success," said University of La Verne Track and Field Head Coach
Kevin Reid.
The sprinters, jumpers, and throwers will take to the track next week at the Redlands Invitational on Friday, March 20.
