CERRITOS, Calif. and DAVIS, Calif. –
Alicia Chambers and
Carrie Thomas each surpassed 2011 NCAA Division II provisional qualifying times in the 200-meter dash on Saturday to lead the San Francisco State track and field squad at the VS Beach Invitational on the campus of Cerritos College in southern California.
Down south, Chambers ran SF State's fastest 200 time in seven years with a career-best clocking of 24.37 seconds to win her heat and place sixth overall, just ahead of Thomas, who also set a new PR at 24.48 in the same section and finished eighth among 103 competitors. With their performances, Chambers and Thomas moved into second and fourth place, respectively, on the Gators' all-time outdoor charts in the event and provisionally qualified for the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships in May.
Not to be outdone, Thomas placed eighth in the 100 as well, establishing a new career-best of 12.17, which ties her for seventh in school history, while Chambers won her heat and placed 11
th overall. Thomas also ran the anchor leg of SF State's 4x100 relay, teaming with
Keenya McDaniel,
Maya Cabiness and
Brionne Baucham to improve upon their school-record time by 0.07 seconds after completing the race in second place at 46.52.
“Alicia and Carrie both experienced major breakthroughs today,” said Gator head coach Terry Burke. “Although the relay hasn't run an optimal race yet this season, they're still improving and competing at a very high level every week, defeating some Division I teams in the process, and that's very encouraging.”
Rounding out the SF State highlights at the Beach Invite was
Felicia Terwilliger, who tied for seventh in the high jump with a height of 5 feet, 5.75 inches.
“Felicia posted her best mark in a Gator uniform and had some great attempts at the next height,” Burke said. “She has an excellent chance of reaching a provisional qualifying mark before the season ends.”
At the Woody Wilson Classic in Davis, Musika finished fifth in the hammer throw with a career-long heave of 160 feet, seven inches, just ahead of Freeman, who also established a new PR in the event at 151-10 to place seventh. In addition, Musika took third in the shot put with a season-best toss of 42-03.25 and finished fifth in the discus throw with a distance of 134-01.
“Luisa had a solid day, and Cassie has become a key member of our team as we head toward the conference championships,” Burke said. “Cassie's efforts today are evidence of her hard work and commitment.”
In the 400,
Samantha Eggert took fifth with a time of 58.17, just 0.01 seconds shy of a personal best, while Butler finished seventh with a career-fast 58.26.
SF State also received a third-place performance from
Lauren Hendrick in the 400-meter hurdles, as she logged a season-best time of 1:05.09.
The Gators will return to action next weekend, April 22-23, when they travel across the Bay Bridge for the Brutus Hamilton Invitational at UC Berkeley.
VS Beach Invitational
At Cerritos, Calif.
SF State Results Only
100 Meters
200 Meters
800 Meters
100 Hurdles
400 Hurdles
4x100 Relay
2. (McDaniel, Cabiness, Baucham, Thomas), 46.52
High Jump
Woody Wilson Classic
At UC Davis
SF State Results Only
100 Meters
200 Meters
400 Meters
400 Meter Hurdles
3,000 Steeplechase
Hammer Throw
Discus Throw
Shot Put
