Several Chico State women's distance runners did their best to set the tone for a successful week of competition in Southern California, as the Wildcats racked up a number of impressive times—including one by Marissa D'Atri that landed her in the Chico State record books—during the first two days of action at the Azusa Pacific-hosted Bryan Clay Invitational.
Competing against an array of Division I runners, D'Atri got the Wildcats off to a memorable start Wednesday evening with a personal best time of 10:44.67 in the Bryan Clay Invitational's 3,000-meter steeplechase, finishing fourth in her heat and 21st overall. The effort not only scored the junior an NCAA Provisional Qualifying mark, but also put D'Atri in the Chico State women's track & field record books with the seventh-fastest 3k steeple time in program history.
Thursday was dominated by distance events in Azusa, with a handful of 'Cats competing throughout the day in the 5,000-meter run. In the morning, Alexi Steinmaus posted a 57th place finish in the 5k Open B event, stopping the clock at 18:40.64.
In the evening races, Gracie Dupuis and Hannah Ryan each turned in outstanding performances in the 5,000-meter run. Competing in the meet's 5k Open A division, Dupuis finished fifth in her heat and delivered a personal best time of 17:28.00, eclipsing her previous best time in the event by nearly a minute. Ryan shaved over 50 seconds off her prior 5k PR time, placing eighth in her heat by completing the 12-and-a-half laps at 17:34.14.
The Chico State women's track & field team will be busy Friday, competing in both the Bryan Clay Invitational and the Long Beach Invitational. The final day of the Bryan Clay Invitational will see Steinmaus, Jaclyn Denham, Gracie Dupuis, and Katie Hawley taking part in the 1,500-meter run, with Wildcats also competing in sprints, hurdles, and relays, plus a full slate of field events.
Friday's Long Beach Invitational will feature a handful of Wildcat field athletes. Ashley Brown will compete in the javelin, while five Chico State pole vaulters—Elise Barnum, Samantha Brackett, Lara Condosta, Rebecca Graham, and Carissa Rodriguez—will also be in action Friday at Long Beach State's Jack Rose Track.
Fans can keep up with the results of both meets online, with links available at www.chicowildcats.com in the calendar section on the homepage, and on the men's and women's track & field schedule page. The Bryan Clay Invitational also offers live streaming video online; a subscription fee is needed to view.
