SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – While the track season technically began January 15, with only one athlete competing that day, the whole Jessup squad started the 2022 season Saturday at Westmont College's Sunshine Open. The day was highlighted by faces new and old, as the Warriors look to have another dominating season in 2022.
 
Head coach Jeff Magley spoke at the end of the day, and said that was Saturday was "good for us to be able to evaluate where we're at and continue to move forward in training. And so the meet served its purpose really well for us in that regard."
 
Highlighting the day in the women's competition was newcomer Jayden Jackson, competing in the pentathlon. Her overall score for the competition finishes the second-best in school history, and is the best all-time in an indoor event for the event. At the time of competition, her score in the pentathlon Iis No. 16 in the nation, setting the Jessup record in the process.
 
In all five events of the pentathlon, Jackson now sits top-three in the Jessup record books.
 
Also taking home first place in the weight throw was Michelle Flint with a mark of 14.15m, a new personal record for her. Flint is coming off two GSAC titles last season as she aims for another great campaign in 2022.
 
Magley also highlighted the day of Eleanor Kania, who made her track & field debut on Saturday. Kania competed in the triple jump, 60m, and 4x400m relay.
 
"Ellie has never done track and field before," added Magley. "Not even in high school. So good start to her career."
 
In the men's competition, Magley liked what he saw out of the newcomers on the roster. Names that were highlighted included Hunter Hughes and Adreon Walker.
 
"We had a lot of newcomers today, especially in the jumps," added Magley. "They did a really nice job and are now going to be top five all-time in school history."
 
Walker, Hughes, and Andrei Matei all posted a mark of 1.60m in the high jump. Walker also led the Warriors in the long jump with a mark of 5.58m. His mark of 12.05 led Jessup in the triple jump as well.
 
Magley also spoke about how great it was to get back on the track, as for several Warriors, Saturday marked their first competition in over a year.
 
"We have multiple athletes that haven't competed since 2019, even 2018, as we kind of looked at our roster, especially some of the newcomers to our team, who haven't competed since their sophomore year in high school, so this was an important week for us."

Full results from the day can be viewed HERE.

Saturday is the first day in a long season that will continue next Saturday at the Soka Indoor Qualifier. Just the Jessup women will compete next week, as both teams will be in action again on February 23 for day one at the Chico Multi-Event Classic.
   
William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).