Daniel Franklin
Staff Writer
The Leopards attended the Redlands Invitational meet last weekend against Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponents like Chapman, Pomona-Pitzer, Redlands and many non-conference schools.
Despite temperatures being high during the day and eventually cooling down in the evening, the Leopards came out and put out great numbers in their respective individual events.
La Verne freshman thrower Ryan Benschop said that his competitiveness is what keeps him focused when preparing to throw.
“I would say the chance to not only beat the competition, but myself and the constant chase for a bigger and better PR, along with the chance to put myself in the record books,” Benschop said.
Benschop recorded 28.51 meters in discus throw, 22.72 meters in hammer throw, and 10.84 meters in shot put. Benschop placed 38th in discus, 31st in hammer throw and 28th in shot put.
The Leopards were also on the move in the sprinting events as well. La Verne freshman sprinter Parker Elam recorded a 23.16 in the 200-meter dash and 53.09 in the 400-meter dash, where he finished fifth place and sixth place, respectively. Overall, he placed 36th in the 400-meter dash and 55th in the 200-meter dash.
“I just have to stay relaxed, and I have to get out fast,” Elam said.
Freshman Clifton Fuller recorded 4.73 meters in his long jump first attempt but outdid himself, recording 4.79 meters in his second and final completed attempt. Fuller placed 17th in his flight.
Fuller also recorded a 12.13 in the 100-meter dash and placed seventh in his heat. Fuller finished 35th overall in the long jump and 69th in the 100-meter dash.
“One thing I focus on mentally is relaxing and believing in myself,” Fuller said. “I know no matter what I do, there will be progress and improvement.”
La Verne sophomore sprinter, jumper and thrower Jai’la Counts ran a 14.52 in the 100-meter dash, finishing 7th place in her heat, but 44th overall.
Counts recorded 3.70 meters in her first attempt at the long jump. She recorded 3.53 meters in her second attempt and 3.89 meters in her third. In her fourth and final attempt, she recorded 3.48 meters and finished 7th in her flight, with her best jump of the day being 3.89 meters in the long jump. Counts finished 32nd overall in the long jump.
“I made recovery a priority, gave my all in practice, and kept a strong mindset,” Counts said. “I reminded myself to stay focused and just get to the finish line.”
The Leopards’ next meet will be on Friday, in the second day of the Klein and Nwabba combined events at Westmont College in Santa Barbara.
Daniel Franklin can be reached at daniel.franklin@laverne.edu.
Daniel Franklin is a junior communications major and a staff writer for the Campus Times.
