SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A new season for Jessup Track got underway on Saturday as the Warriors made their annual trip to Westmont for the Sunshine Open. With the chase for national qualifying bids already underway, several Warriors inched close to a spot in South Dakota next month.
 
Head coach Jeff Magley spoke after the meet and was pleased with the all-around performance his team displayed.
 
"Overall, a very good meet for us as our first competition of the year. Some exciting things and exciting results, definitely progress to be made over the next couple of months, but it's a very good start to the season for us going forward."
 
One of the highlights of the day came in the women's mile as Azalea Prince set a new school record with her time of 5:34.57. Prince finishes 30 seconds shy of the A-standard needed to qualify for the NAIA Indoor National Championship.
 
Prince was not done there, as she posted a new PR in the 5000m with a time of 18:24.29. Her time was 15 seconds off of the A-standard.
 
Another school record was broken in the triple jump by Alexis Jones. Looking to qualify for the NAIA National Championship for the third year in a row, Jones won the event with a mark of 11.04m, besting the next closest competitor by 1.25m.
 
Eleanor Kania (9.30m) and Adelina Castellano (8.87m) were also in the triple jump finals for Jessup.
 
Jones was back at it in the 60m, joining her teammate Erica Waseq, as the duo both broke the Jessup record in the event. Waseq, competing in her first college event, owns the record now with a time of 8.08. Jones finished at 8.15.
 
"It was awesome for a freshman to do that in her very first meet, and a great start for Lexi as well," added Magley."
 
The men's 60m saw Kamil Jones take second overall with a time of 7.00, a new PR for him. Cameron Chaddock also set a new PR in the event.
 
For the Warriors, those looking to qualify for the indoor national championship will be coming from the women's team. Jessup does not currently sponsor men's indoor track and field.
 
Next week the women's team will be in action at the Soka Indoor Qualifier. The men's team will return to action at the Chico Multi-Event Classic on February 22.
   
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 Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).