Dramatic finish seals CMS victory at Multi-Dual
REDLANDS, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps track program won out the second SCIAC Multi-Dual in dramatic fashion on Saturday, as several Stags and Athenas set personal bests to put their team ahead. After competing in various meets in split groups, CMS arrived at University of Redlands with a full team. The Athenas dominated the meet, beating La Verne 118-44 and Caltech 152-1 while the Stags defeated the Beavers 140-16 and narrowly winning against the Leopards in a tight 85-77 victory.
Before the final race, the Stags desperately needed points to catch up to La Verne and remain in contention to win the multi-dual. In the 3000-meter steeplechase, sophomore Charlie Harris (CMC) took first place with a time of 10:27.45, but the Stags needed more runners to place in order to secure more points. Trailing La Verne' Marcelo Arcos in the final two laps, senior Dan McCabe (HMC) managed to get past him to finish in second at 10:42.34. Falling behind four runners in the final 150 meters of the race, junior J.P. Kiefer (CMC) hit fifth gear in the last stretch and passed four runners, including Arcos to complete the incredible comeback. By placing first, second, and third in the steeplechase, the Stags accrued enough points to have a shot at winning the multi-dual in the final race, the 4x400 meter relay.
Sophomore Matthew Guillory (HMC) played a pivotal role in the relay, running his best time in the leadoff leg at 49.3 seconds. Freshmen Justin Estrada (CMC) and Cameron Finley (CMC) and senior Joshua Sealand (HMC) each ran a strong leg and the team finished with a time of 3:18.58 to take first place and help the Stags clinch the multi-dual. It was the fastest recorded time in the SCIAC this season.
Prior to winning the 4x400 relay, Sealand set a personal record in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:53.87 to take first place. Senior Cam Van (CMC) was the top performer at the meet, setting the best mark in Division III in the triple jump at 14.49 m (47-06.50). He also set a lifetime best on the long jump with a score of 7.03 m (23-00.75), good enough to be tied for fifth among all D-III athletes this season. Senior Zane Bodenbender (HMC) had his moment to shine, taking first place in the pole vault with a mark of 4.40 m (14-05.25).
The Athenas beat their competition in dominating fashion. Junior Tyra Abraham (SC) took first in the 100-meter (12.24) and 200-meter (25.48) dashes as well as help the Athenas win the 4x400 relay. Sophomore Geneva Ecola (HMC) and seniors Carmen Mejia (SC) and Liz Lee (HMC) combined with Abraham to seal first place in the relay at 4:04.70.
Senior Vaiva Palunas (SC) took first place in the shotput with a mark of 12.99 m (42-07.50) and discus at 44.84 m (147-01) while junior Emily Bassett (CMC) won the hammer with a seasonal best 55.28 m (181-04). Bassett's hammer distance is ranked third in Division III this season.
Sophomore Malea Martin (CMC) led the Athenas to a sweep in the distance run, taking first place at 18:47.96. Junior Lauren Stanislaw (SC) and freshman Alexandra Lambros (SC) took second and third, respectively.
CMS will compete next week as the Stags and Athenas head across the street to the Pomona-Pitzer Invatational on Saturday, April 8, beginning at 10 a.m.
By Young Kim
Sports Information Assistant
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