SAN MARCOS, Calif. - The UC San Diego track and field teams were back in action on Saturday, competing in the third annual Mangrum Invitational on the campus of Cal State San Marcos. Facing a host of schools from all over Southern California, the Tritons posted several top marks on the day.
UCSD won a total of five events on the women's side, while the Triton men also posted first place marks in five events.
Senior Stephanie LeFever had the big highlight of the day, winning the women's long jump with a school-record leap of 20'1". In addition to eclipsing the old standard of 19'10.75" -- which she shared with former Triton Whitney Johnson -- LeFever picked up an NCAA automatic qualifier with the performance, as well.
The Aptos, Calif. native also placed fourth in the high jump after clearing 5'2.25".
Senior Erin Langford also earned a victory for the Triton jumps team, winning the triple jump with a mark of 36'9". Junior Caitlin Meagher had the top time in the 400-meter hurdles at 62.90 while senior Danielle Thu won the hammer throw with a toss of 185'6".
The women's 4x400 relay team of Lauren Irish, Deyna Roberson, Kelly Fogarty and Meagher took first with a time of 3:46.16, improving its existing NCAA qualifying mark in the process. The 4x100 unit also improved its mark, finishing second on the day with a time of 46.77. That foursome features Meagher, Kathleen Hitchens, Jacqueline Rose and Fogarty.
All five of the Tritons' individual victories on the men's side came in field events, with the jumps team accounting for three wins and the throwers claiming the other two.
Junior Nick Howe took a break from his specialty in the javelin to claim the men's high jump with a leap of 6'1.25", while freshman Clint Rosser had the top mark in the pole vault at 14'10.75". Junior transfer Ka Wai Ng won the triple jump once again with a mark of 46'11".
Ryan Eckert bested the field in the shot put with a toss of 48'10" and Ab Shaheen won the hammer throw at 179'6".
All of UCSD's national qualifiers will now travel to Tempe, Ariz. for the Sun Angel Track Classic Friday and Saturday at Arizona State. The rest of the team will take part in the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational on Saturday.
