March 17, 2011

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Saturday the LMU Track team will race at the UC Irvine Spring Break Invitational. The Lions will travel to Anteater Stadium where they will compete in the 800m, 1500m, 3000m and 3000m steeplechase throughout the afternoon. The field events are scheduled to start at 10:00am and the first track event is scheduled to begin at 3:00pm.

This meet has historically drawn a competitive field of entries from across the nation, who travel out to California for their spring break. This year, the Lions will once again be up against some tough programs including Cornell University and Air Force.

The Lions will split up their squads between the 1500m race and the 3000m on the women's side. In the women's 1500m, the Lions will be led by senior Cynthia Chiadez, both are entered under five minutes. Laura Delgado, Coralie Eilers and Shea Franklin should also have a good pack and will be able to race together. In the 3000m Sheree Shea and Brieana Delaney will be leading the Lions, each looking for a personal best after coming off a strong 5k race two weeks ago. Similarly, Jessica Mumaugh, Caroline Draper and Brittnie Munoz all had good 5k races recently and will be racing for personal bests in the second 3k of the season. Veronica Wallington will be racing for the first time as a Lion this weekend in the 3k. Finally Stephanie Felix will be looking for a new record in the 3k race as well.

For the men the Lions will be competing in the 800m, 1500m, 300m and 3000m steeplechase. Oran Arms, Matthew Duncan, and Dan Smith will all be in the 800m. Oran Arms is looking to improve on his season best from last year that is currently 2nd all time at LMU. In the 1500m race, the Lions will be led but Greg Innes, Tyre Johnson, Sterling Lockert, and Connor Pastoor. Next the Lions will be looking for Mike Evans, Mike Herrera, Philip Benavides, Scott Donahue, Dan Smith and RJ Larrieu. With such a big group in one race, the Lions will have a good team pack to race with. Finally in the 300m race Kevin Joerger will be leading the Lions and has already turned in top performances this season. Finally Drew Dalton and Henry Jordan should be competitive in this race as well.