The track and field teams competed in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships hosted by Occidental on Saturday and Sunday at the Bill Henry Track.
The men’s and women’s teams each finished in third place.
“I felt that the championship was a blessing overall for me and my team,” senior runner Chancise Watkins said. “Everything went as planned and it was beyond great.”
Watkins won three events, setting records for all three.
He won the 200 meters event in 21.14 seconds, the 400 meters in 47.25 and the 4×100 meter relay with a time of 40.84.
Currently, his times for the 400m and 4x100m are the fastest in Division III this season.
Senior runner Lenore Moreno won the 5,000m race in 16:48.47, followed by the defending SCIAC champion, Cal Lutheran junior Melissa Skiba.
The women’s 4x100m relay team of senior Ebony Williams, freshman Tiahna Gillon, junior Tanesha Spencer and senior Nicole Crutchfield won with a time of 47.77.
Gillon also won the 100m event with a time of 12.22.
Senior Alysse Thummel also won third place in the 800m relay with a time of 2:17.79, setting a new school record.
Sophomore Bryan Hayes also set a school-record time of 14:47.19 in the 5,000m race.
The Leopards also won four field events.
Seniors Deanna Doss won the hammer with a toss of 160-01 and Matt Rehder won the javelin with a throw of 199.05.
Junior Taylor Bernhard and freshman Jason Nicholls swept the pole vault with clearances of 11-00.25 and 14-05.50, respectively.
Francis claimed the high jump with a 6-05.50.
“Everyone did their best and that’s all we can ask for, giving their heart out,” Watkins said.
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps won the championships for the men and Cal Lutheran took the women’s competition.
The Leopards will compete Saturday at the Occidental Invitational held at Occidental starting at 10 a.m.
—Jolene Nacapuy
