Glendale, AZ – The Firestorm Men's Track & Field program took a short drive down 59
th avenue to Glendale Community College where the GCC Invite was held over the weekend. The GCC Invite featured both GSAC and Junior College competition and was the team's final opportunity to compete and receive marks before GSAC Track & Field Championships.
Strong performances included freshman
Markeese Wright who set a new personal best in the 200 meters with a time of 22:09, and earlier in the 400 he also set a personal best of 49.36 in the 400 meters and set a new program record. Also on the track, fellow freshman
Daniel Kpeh continued his strong rookie campaign improving his 110-meter hurdle time by running a 15.91.
In the field, senior
Drew Gertenrich set new personal bests in three different events. In the Hammer he threw 142' 7.25", in the Discus he threw 146' 4.75", and in the Shot Put he tossed it 43' 10.75". Gertenrich was only overshadowed in the shot put by teammate Tahaj Acoff hitting the "A" Standard with a throw of 55' which was a new personal best.
Thoughts from Head Coach Brian Bell
"The men's team looked very strong today. We are pleased with their progress and excited to see what they will do at our conference championships. It was special to see
Markeese Wright break the school record in the 400, and Drew's PRs in three different throwing events was fun to watch. He has had a great career at ACU."
Top Track Finishers
100 Meters: Trent Wheeler – 11:00
200 Meters: Markeese Wright – 22.09 New Personal Best
400 Meters: Markeese Wright – 49.36 New Personal Best and Program Record
800 Meters: Isaac Linan – 1:57.20
1500 Meters: Jaden Morton – 4:36.09
110M Hurdles: Daniel Kpeh – 15.91 New Personal Best
400M Hurdles: Zachary Cornelius – 1:00.44
4 x 100 Relay: Browne, Wright, McPhaull, Paul – 41.66
Top Field Finishers
Long Jump: Anthony Brazier – 20' 2.5"
Triple Jump: Mikhail Browne – 47' 2.5" NAIA "A" Standard
High Jump: Anthony Brazier – 5' 6"
Hammer: Drew Gertenrich – 142' 7.25" New Personal Best
Javelin: Brooks Rasmussen – 167' 2.75" New Personal Best
Discus: Drew Gertenrich – 146' 4.75" New Personal Best
Shot Put: Tahaj Acoff – 55' NAIA "A" Standard
Pole Vault: Kaden Clark – 12' 9.5"
Next On the Schedule
The Firestorm will take the next week off before traveling to Aliso Viejo, CA where the GSAC Track & Field Championships will be held at Soka University. The meet runs Thursday April 24 through Friday April 25.
Roll Storm!
