Everett, WA - After nearly a three week break, Trojan track and field returned to competition at the Ralph Vernacchia Invitational hosted by Western Washington University. The NCAA Division II school hosted all but two of the DII schools in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference as well as two Division I Canadian Schools, an NAIA school and fellow NWAC school Olympic College.
The EvCC women entered six competitors, five of which competed in the 1500 meter race. The group was led by Reda Long who placed 35th overall and set a new PR of 5:07.11, moving her up to 8th on the NWAC performance list. Teagan Pentz, Lily Rock, Taya Gilgore, and Amelia Koon also competed in the 1500m. Madeline Dang (currently 9th in the NWAC 100 hurdles) placed 12th overall in the 100h and then placed 11th overall in the 400 hurdles, where she is ranked 15th in the NWAC. The women also competed in the 4x400m relay and placed 5th.
For the men nine different athletes set personal bests. Harry Mchugh was able to PR in the 200m with a time of 23.41 and Riel Villamena PR'd in both the 100m and 200m. Anthoney Ray-Kirk PR'd in the 200m and 400m (placing 13th overall) as did sophomore Ryan Cole (placed 16th overall in the 400m). Jacob Doughty set a new PR in the long jump with a mark of 17' 5.25" and sophomore Brandon Bruss PR'd in the shot put at 38' 10.25". On Friday, WWU hosted an extension of the Ralph Vernacchia with several other events, one including the 5000m. Charlie Roberts PR'd in the 5000m placing 9th overall, as did Isaiah Buckley and Hector Mendoza.