The University of La Verne track team has done it again. Leaving Occidental open-mouthed, the Leopards’ performance at the May 10 invitational resulted in record-breaking times.
ULV broke its own school record of 41.40 in the 4x100m relay with 40.92.
Junior relay team member Anthony Rice said, “This is now the best time in the nation among Division III teams.”
The rest of the team, made up of juniors Jason Neal, Anthony Hayes and Liron Wilson, has only run together for a year.
“Those are pretty good times,” said head coach Pat Widolff. “Our teams beat a lot of Division I schools.”
Another record was broken by the 4x400m relay team which consists of Rice, Wilson, junior Eric Gleason and freshman Ordell Williams. They set the record by completing the relay in 3.15.56, beating the time of 3.17 required to qualify for Nationals.
As for the women’s team, junior Jacqui Zwissler qualified at the triple jump with a length of 37’7”. Senior Erika Spencer also qualified when she jumped 5’3” in the high jump.
Rice said of his fellow Leopards, “I hope the girls can go to Chicago and do their best, I feel they worked really hard this year.”
As for the upcoming Nationals in Chicago, Rice said, “Speaking for the team, our expectation is to win and represent La Verne well by bringing home a national title.”
The teams will depart for Chicago Tuesday, May 21.
—Julieta Ramirez
