April 14, 2011

WALNUT, Calif. - Pepperdine junior Lauren Lodge placed 11th in the 3000m steeplechase with a varsity record time of 10:53.90 Thursday during the first day of competition at the 53rd annual Mt. SAC Relays.

Lodge's (Hopkinton, Mass./Hopkinton HS) effort broke her previous record of 10:54.93, which she set at the 2009 Pomona-Pitzer Invitational. She was running the steeplechase for the first time this season and just the second time in her career.

"This is the most grueling event in all of track and field," head coach Robert Radnoti said, "and it takes a lot of guts, determination and experience to run the steeplechase well. Lauren is just beginning her competitive season, and as soon as her hurdling and water jumping techniques improve she'll be running to qualify for NCAAs."

Radnoti added that Lodge will probably next compete at the Steve Scott Invitational at UC Irvine on April 30, but isn't sure if she'll be entered again in the steeplechase or in the 5K. Lodge also holds the school's 5K record at 17:14.90.