Long Beach State University
Beach Invitational
LBSU Wraps up Another Great Meet as Beach Invitational Finishes Final Day
4/20/2019 8:42:00 PM | Track and Field
Long Beach State also recognized their 32 seniors and inducted five members into the inaugural Hall of Honor.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – The 25th Annual Beach Invitational came to a close Saturday with outstanding performances thrilling crowds and great results coming from both elite athletes and Long Beach State's competitors.
With over 3,000 entries, the meet once again was a tremendous showcase for the Long Beach State program as well as the recently refurbished Jack Rose Track. The atmosphere led to a great atmosphere that saw six meet records fall over two days and three Long Beach State student-athletes claim event victories.
The field events were dominated by elite competitors, with the triple jump serving as a great example with reigning Olympic triple jump champion Christian Taylor participating as part of a great field in the event. Omar Craddock stole the show on Saturday, however, with a remarkable jump of 17.68m (58-00.25) in the triple jump, reaching the IAAF World qualifying mark and new lifetime best in addition to a new meet record and a 2019 world best in the event. Taylor also reached the IAAF World qualifying mark with a leap of 17.18m (56-04.50) with a 14-step approach. 2018 bronze medalist Donald Scott finished third with a jump of 17.11m (56-01.75).
Congratulations to our Track and Field Seniors! We are proud of you! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/AeA47xUcSJ
— LBSU Athletics (@LBSUAthletics) April 21, 2019
That was just one of six Beach Invitational marks to fall in the field. In the shot put, 2016 Olympian Ryan Crousser won the event and set the world leading mark with an outstanding throw of 22.74m (74-07.25) In the men's pole vault, junior Chris Nelson of South Dakota broke the meet record with a clearance of 5.82m (19-01.00), just off his personal-best mark.
On the track, LBSU Men's 4x100m team of Femi Ajose, Faris Babineaux, Kemonie Briggs, and Koty Burton won the event, with a season best time of 40.60. Burton was also a top finisher in the men's 110m hurdles and was just off his PR with a time of 14.06.
On the women's side, Alyssa Wilson of UCLA set a meet record with a throw of 18.02, (59-01.50), just edging the previous record set last season. The women's pole vault also featured a new record as Olivia Gruver of Washington became the first woman to clear 15 feet at Jack Rose Track with a winning mark of 15-03.50.
Long Beach State Senior Bria Palmer won the high jump at the Beach Invitational, tying her PR with a clearance of 5-10.75. On the track, Assistant Coach Jaide Stepter was the one to beat in the 400m and 200m, winning both events with times of 52.35 and 22.97.
LBSU senior Courtne' Davis was just off her personal bests in both the 100m and 200m. Davis clocked a time of 11.42, trailing only an incredible wind-aided 11.18 from Jerayah Davis, while running a 23.46 time in the 200m.
During the day, Long Beach State also welcomed the first five members of the Long Beach State Track and Field Hall of Honor in Dixon Farmer, Rodger Dubbs, Richard McQuarrie, Cindy Masner, and Bob Hickey and recognized their departing senior class.
Long Beach State will next compete in the Steve Scott Invitational in Irvine over two days over April 26 and 27.
LBSU wraps up day two of the 25th Annual Beach Invitational! Many outstanding performances at the Jack Rose Track and World qualifying marks accomplished in the field! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/OsTr7zGddV
— LBSU Track/XC (@LBSU_Track_XC) April 21, 2019
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