Pepperdine University
Northridge Relays
Smith, Wishard Win Races at Northridge Invitational
3/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Track
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - Junior Chelsea Wishard (Lawai, Hawai'i/Kauai HS) and sophomore Kenny Smith (Willits, Calif./Willits HS) won their respective races and junior Aneka Myles (Victorville, Calif./Silverado HS) broke her own school record in the shot put, highlighting Pepperdine's stay Saturday at the Cal State Northridge Invitational.
Myles placed third in her shot put section with a toss of 35 feet-9 inches (10.90m), which was five inches further than her previous best of 35-4 (10.77) set at last year's Pomona-Pitzer Invitational. She also finished three feet shy of breaking her school record in the discus with a launch of 108-11 (33.21).
"Aneka's performances were amazing considering the fact that this was her very first competition of the season," head coach Robert Radnoti said. "She didn't go to Florida and she was sick the week of the UC Santa Barbara meet, so we're very excited by what she's been able to accomplish so far."
On the track, Wishard broke the school's record in the 3000-meter run with a first place time of 10:04.01. Her time was more than a second faster than the previous standard of 10:05.44 set at last year's Northridge Relays by Lauren Lodge.
Wishard beat 18 other runners who represented a variety of schools from D-I institutions such as UCLA and Fullerton to local two-year programs from Glendale and Moorpark. Overall, the Northridge Invitational welcomed 1,021 student-athletes.
"Chelsea is great," Radnoti said. "Not only did she post a personal record in her first 3K in two years, but she also broke the school record. Chelsea ran smooth and smart, keeping pace with a girl from UCLA (Kelcie Wiemann) before taking control near the end for the win."
Smith's victory came in the 3000m steeplechase, beating 13 competitors to the finish line in 9:56.45. This was Smith's first steeplechase race of the season.
"Kenny came out of a big group in third place, and then took over with about a mile to go," Radnoti said. "He appears to be in midseason form and did a great job of clearing all the barriers."
Pepperdine's men's and women's track and field teams return to action next Saturday at the UC Irvine Invitational.
