by Antonette Manabat
Staff Writer
The University of La Verne track and field team dominated Saturday with wins over Pomona-Pitzer and Whittier. Both the men’s and women’s team came out victorious in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Quad competition at Pomona College’s Strechle Field.
The men’s team had key individual athletes pulling out victories in more than one event while the women’s team had an impressive showing, raising the bar with four athletes qualifying for nationals.
The ULV men’s team won 15 out of the 19 events, beating Pomona-Pitzer 129-74 and Whittier 136-59.
Brandon Tedrow, a junior, was not only victorious on the javelin throw and the pole vault but was also able to get his personal best. Tedrow’s 187′ 8.25″ javelin throw was a National Collegiate Athletic Association provisional qualifying mark.
The men’s relay team also captured both of their events, winning in the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 meter relays. Senior Dimitri Watson was injured but was still able to pull through for his team.
“Dimitri did outstanding; even though he was hurt, he still finished the race,” said head coach Pat Widolff.
The women’s team had numerous personal records as it won 13 out of the 19 total events and came out victorious over Pomona-Pitzer 111-83 and Whittier 123-48.
Sophomore Lakia Sims gave an impressive performance coming on top in both long jump and triple jump. Sims’ triple jump of 37′ 2.25″ was an NCAA provisional qualifying mark.
Junior Amy Smith was also able to jump her way into nationals. Smith won high jump by clearing the NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 5′ 5.25″.
All-American Lori Waters started the season on top, as she dominated in shotput, throwing 45’01.75″ which allowed her to qualify for NCAA provisionals.
The performance that stood out among the female athletes was junior Lisa Mila’s javelin throw.
The tri-athlete threw more than 15-feet better than her personal best. Mila’s toss was 136’04”, which will send her to nationals.
“I’m really surprised; I thought my first throw was bad,” Mila said. “I just wanted to get a (personal record); I didn’t know I was going to qualify.”
Freshmen Alexis Candelaria led the distance runners, winning the 5000 and the 1500-meters.
Widolff said that he was impressed with Candelaria’s performance in being able to not only run two long races but be successful in both of them.
The relay teams were victorious in both 4x 100 and 4x 400.
“I’m real pleased with the overall performance, especially the team spirit,” Widolff said. “Everybody was cheering for each other. I think that was my favorite part.”
The Leopards’ next meet is 11 a.m. tomorrow against Occidental and Cal Lutheran at Caltech.
