Phoenix, AZ – The Firestorm Men's Track & Field program participated in two connected but separate events over the weekend.  On Thursday, the distance runner competed at Distance in the Dark hosted by Mesa Community College where senior Brandon Ericson won the 5k convincingly in a time of 15:05, while sophomore Julian Salyer ran a new personal record of 4:14.59 in the 1500. 

On Saturday, the rest of the track team traveled to Paradise Valley Community College for the Cody McBride Invite. There, junior Mikhail Browne led things off by winning the men's long jump with a leap of 24' 4.5" which was also an auto qualifier for the NAIA Track & Field National Championships.  And performing two of the most difficult events in all of track & field, Manny Valenzuela set new personal bests in both the 400-meter hurdles (1:00.48), and the pole vault (12' 6").  

Other strong performers included senior Drew Gertenrich who led the Firestorm in the three different throwing events including the hammer where he set a new personal best of 138' 4"; and freshman Isaac Linan doubling in both the 400 meter and 800 meter races where he set new personal bests in both of 52.49 and 1:57.35.

Thoughts from Head Coach Brian Bell
"We were thrilled with how strong and balanced the men's team was at Distance in the Dark Thursday evening and at today's meet.  There were many strong performances, but Browne punching his ticket to nationals in the long jump stands out.  Manny also had a personal record in the pole vault and the 400-meter hurdles.  Anyone who has been involved in track and field knows how hard those events are to master.  We are looking forward to our next two meets before the GSAC Track & Field Championships April 24^th."
 
Top Track Finishers
4x100M Relay: McPhaull, Wright, Brazier, Paul – 42.71
100 Meters: Mikhail Browne – 11.05 
200 Meters: Lionel McPhaull – 22.88
400 Meters: Tanner Johnson – 50.58
800 Meters: Isaac Linan – 1:57.35 New Personal Record
1500 Meters: Julian Salyer – 4:14.59 New Personal Record
5000 Meters: Brandon Ericson – 15:05.04
400M Hurdles: Thaddius Thurman – 59.40 New Personal Record
110M Hurdles: Daniel Kpeh – 16.10 New Personal Record
 
Top Field Finishers
Triple Jump: Brent Nelson – 42' 10.25"
Long Jump: Mikhail Browne – 24' 4.5" NAIA "A" Standard 
Pole Vault: Kaden Clark – 12' 11.75" New Personal Record
Hammer: Drew Gertenrich – 138' 4" New Personal Record
Javelin: Drew Gertenrich – 156' 10" 
Discus: Drew Gertenrich – 146' 4"
Shot Put: Tahaj Acoff – 48' 5.5"
 
Next On the Schedule
The Firestorm will travel to Las Vegas, NV next weekend for the UNLV Rebel Elite Invite.  It is a Friday and Saturday meet.  Events start at 12:00pm on Friday and 8:00am on Saturday.  

Roll Storm!