Beach Opens Split Weekend With Strong Distance And Throwing Performances

Friday, March 27

Los Angeles, Calif.

Long Beach State University

Bob Larson Distance Carnival

Beach Opens Split Weekend With Strong Distance And Throwing Performances

3/27/2026 8:59:00 PM | Track and Field

Long Beach State opened a split weekend of competition Friday with strong performances at both the Ron and Sharlene Allice Trojan Invitational and the Bob Larsen Distance Carnival, highlighted by a win from Miles Jones and multiple top-four finishes in the throwing events.

By: Cianna Smith-Andrews, Assistant Director, Athletic Communications

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Long Beach State opened competition Friday with athletes split between two meets, as throwers competed in Wilmington, Calif., at the Colich Throws Center during the Ron and Sharlene Allice Trojan Invite, while distance runners raced Friday night at Drake Stadium during the Bob Larsen Distance Carnival.

Women
Long Beach State opened the day in the women's discus, where Mai Ricks recorded a personal-best throw of 46.29 meters (151 feet, 10 inches) to place 14th. Sammy Chang followed in 15th with a mark of 43.88 meters (143 feet, 11 inches), while Abigail Gavrilovic also competed for the Beach.

In the women's hammer throw, Giszelle Hrehor led Long Beach State with a runner-up finish after posting a mark of 56.57 meters (185 feet, 7 inches). Amanda Javellana placed 10th with a throw of 48.77 meters (160 feet), and Mai Ricks added a 13th-place finish at 43.39 meters (142 feet, 4 inches).

At UCLA, Sharice Laygo and Darcy Ray competed in the women's 1,500 meters, finishing in 4:50.68 and 4:45.12, respectively.

In the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase, Alyssa Tapanes placed fifth in 11:19.51, while Marikay Schwab finished eighth in 11:47.08.

Long Beach State closed its UCLA competition in the women's 5,000 meters, where Nataly Toledo ran 18:16.58 and Brooke Willoughby finished in 18:00.59.

Men
In the men's discus, Diego Herrera-Vandrell posted a personal-best throw of 45.27 meters (148 feet, 6 inches) to finish 11th.

The Beach followed with two top-four finishes in the men's hammer throw as Tyler Knowles placed third at 61.44 meters (201 feet, 7 inches) and Eman Goodloe finished fourth with a throw of 59.30 meters (195 feet, 10 inches).

At UCLA, Miles Jones led the Beach with a victory in the men's 1,500 meters, crossing in 3:42.97. Lance Denhalter followed in 3:52.43, Cameron Rhone ran 3:52.66, and Brandon Day posted a time of 4:13.31.

Cameron Gill added a fourth-place finish in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:29.96.

Long Beach State returns to competition Saturday as throwers continue at Allyson Felix Field at Loker Track Stadium during the second day of USC competition, while the remainder of the Beach roster competes in the Jim Bush Legends Meet at UCLA beginning at 9:30 a.m.