Triton Invitational Women's Recap

LA JOLLA, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's track & field team had a strong outing at the Triton Invitational Saturday in La Jolla.
 
Malia Gay won the 800m as her personal-record 2:06.21 topped the field of 68. Luz Mercado was the runner-up, crossing the finish line in a lifetime-best 2:06.96. Gay and Mercado rank third and fifth, respectively, in program history. Kaia Schmidt (2:11.73) and Makena Castillo (2:12.85) placed among the top five with personal bests.
 
Anna Vogtmann led a large contingent of Anteaters in the 1500m where she claimed runner-up honors. Vogtmann notched a season-best 4:27.19 to take second out of 84. Nicole Contreras added an eighth-place showing (4:40.49).
 
Halle Sutherland clocked a PR 11.61 to come in third in the 100m. Sutherland saw a .02 second improvement on her No. 3 time in school history. Samantha Bartz (11.92) was also among the top-10, while Sarah Ajayi (12.38) had a personal best.
 
Reyna Johnson set a personal-record in the 100m hurdles for the second-straight meet. Johnson finished third out of 43 with a time of 13.75 seconds. She moved up one spot to No. 5 on UCI's all-time charts. Jazzmine Davis was also fourth (13.95).
 
For the second week in a row, Nyla Baker established a lifetime best in the shot put. Baker, who reached the 15-meter mark for the first time in her career at the Vince O'Boyle Classic last Saturday, did it again as she bettered her PR with a toss of 15.53m (50-11.5) to take fourth overall in the Elite section. Her distance ranks third in program history. Pinkie Schnayer was ninth at 14.65m (48-0.75), while Nadia Combs-Mahone registered a personal-best 13.30m (43-7.75) to tie for 10th among the Anteaters' all-time leaders.
 
Esmeray Demirbas paced seven 'Eaters in the 400m where she came in sixth at 55.88. Demirbas also tied for third in the high jump (1.67m/5-5.75), and Kailah McKenzie tied for fifth (1.62m/5-3.75).
 
Lauren Thai, Sutherland, Johnson and Bartz combined for a season-best 45.39 in the 4x100 relay.
 
UC Irvine will be back in action at the Bryan Clay Multis (April 10-11) and Friday Night Lights meet (April 11).

– UC Irvine Sports Information