Aliso Viejo, CA – The Firestorm Track & Field program travelled to Aliso Viejo, CA for the GSAC Track & Field Championships which were hosted on the campus of Soka University on Thursday and Friday.  The men's team achieved ten conference championships and numerous other All-GSAC performances over the two-day period and were just fourteen points short of upsetting the nationally ranked Master's University.

On the track, freshman Markeese Wright made his presence felt by winning both the 200 meter and 400 meter dashes.  Also winning two conference championships was sophomore Tahaj Acoff and junior Mikhail Browne.  Acoff won both the Discus and Shot Put, while Browne earned the crown in both the Long Jump and Triple Jump.
At the conclusion of the meet it was announced that senior Drew Gertenrich had outscored all other field event performers in the meet, and so was awarded Performer of the Meet for field events.

Thoughts from Head Coach Brian Bell
"Proud of our men's team. To finish second by 14 points to a top five nationally ranked team is a huge accomplishment. The men earned several individual and relay conference champion titles, along with numerous all-conference selections.  It has been a great season and we will continue to build for next year."
 
Top Track Finishers
4x100M Relay: Browne, Wright, McPhaull, Paul – 41.8 Conference Champion
4x400M Relay: Johnson, McPhaull, Wright, Hawthorne – 3:23.26 Conference Champion
4x800M Relay: Salyer, Hepburn, Sexson, Johnson – 8:24.69 All-Conference
100 Meters: Anthony Brazier – 11.04 All-Conference
200 Meters: Markeese Wright – 21.99 Conference Champion
400 Meters: Markeese Wright – 48.85 Conference Champion / Program Record
800 Meters: Isaac Linan – 1:56.94 All-Conference
1500 Meters: Brandon Ericson – 3:56.26 Program Record
5000 Meters: Brandon Ericson – 15:36.83
10000 Meters: Trey Janssen – 32:32.65 New Personal Best
3K Steeplechase: Trent Janssen – 10:04.8 All-Conference
400M Hurdles: Zachary Cornelius – 58.88 Conference Champion
110M Hurdles: Thaddeus Thurman – 15.58 All-Conference
 
Top Field Finishers
Hammer: Drew Gertenrich – 144' 2" All-Conference
Javelin: Drew Gertenrich – 171' 8" Conference Champion
Discus: Tahaj Acoff – 155' 4" Conference Champion
Shot Put: Tahaj Acoff – 53' 1.5" Conference Champion
Pole Vault: Chance Miller – 11' 11.25" All-Conference
Long Jump: Mikhail Browne – 23' 6.75" Conference Champion
Triple Jump: Mikhail Browne – 46' 9.5" Conference Champion
High Jump: D'Angelo Hawthorne – 5' 5.5"
 
Next On the Schedule
NAIA Track & Field National Championships May 21-23 in Marian, IN.

Roll Storm!