IRVINE, Calif. / TUCSON, Ariz. — UC San Diego track and field closed out its final weekend of regular-season competition with a strong showing split between the Steve Scott Invitational and the Desert Heat Classic. The Tritons combined for two event wins, three school records, 19 top-10 program marks, and three new Big West qualifying standards, building momentum heading into the conference championship.
UC San Diego's top performances were highlighted at the Steve Scott Invitational, where the Tritons captured both of their event victories. Sabrina Zanetto led the way in the women's 1,500 meters, crossing the line in 4:40.13 to secure the win, while Joseph Vargas took first in the men's 800 meters with a time of 1:53.19.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tritons delivered several standout performances across both meets, including a trio of program records. Nathan Garderes etched his name into the record books in the men's 1,500 meters at the Steve Scott Invitational, clocking 3:46.35 to set a new school mark. On the women's side, Emma Dunmire broke the program record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 10:21.14, a mark that ranks No. 2 in the Big West and No. 36 in the NCAA West Region.
In Tucson, the quartet of Kai Strawn, Brandon Orlow, Jack Mullen, and Antrell Harris combined to set a new school record in the men's 4x100 relay, finishing in 40.05 at the Desert Heat Classic, with Harris running the anchor leg.
Beyond the record-breaking efforts, the tritons made a significant impact across the board with multiple marks ranking No. 2 in program history. At the Desert Heat Classic, Eden Enoru sprinted to a time of 11.71 in the 100 meters to move into second all-time, while Tamara Aimufia recorded a leap of 6.15 meters in the long jump, also ranking second in program history and No. 3 in the Big West.
Antrell Harris continued his standout freshman campaign, clocking a personal-best 20.74 in the 200 meters to rank No. 2 all-time at UC San Diego and No. 5 in the Big West, making him the only freshman currently in the conference's top five. He also posted a personal best of 10.48 in the 100 meters and contributed the anchor leg on the record-setting 4x100 relay.
Back in Irvine, Joseph Vargas added to the Tritons' top performances with a 1,500-meter time of 3:46.74, moving him to No. 2 in program history in the event.
In total, 19 Tritons recorded marks that now sit within the program's all-time top 10, underscoring the team's depth across sprints, distance, and field events as the postseason approaches.
TRITON TIDBITS
- UC San Diego recorded two event wins across the weekend.
- Three school records were set at the Steve Scott Invitational and Desert Heat Classic.
- Nineteen performances moved into the program's all-time top 10 lists.
- The Tritons added three new Big West qualifying marks ahead of the conference championships.
UP NEXT
The Tritons will next compete at the Big West Track & Field Championships on May 15-16 on the campus of Long Beach State. The heptathlon and decathlon will be contested one week earlier, May 8-9, on the campus of UC Irvine.
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 24-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 39 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in NCAA Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.
