LINCOLN, Neb. - Azusa Pacific wrapped up competition at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational on Saturday, where the Cougars competed this weekend in preparation for Indoor Nationals in March.
MEN
The Cougars had three athletes participate in the heptathlon this weekend, and the trio closed out the competition with the final three events on Saturday. When all was said and done, Aaron Worrell finished with 5,346 points, just three points shy of his season-best, Makel Hubbard posted a 5,044 point effort, and Lincoln Krog finished with 4,538 points. While Worrell and Krog each entered the weekend ranked among the top-six nationally for the heptathlon, Hubbard's performance in Nebraska moves him into the No. 18 spot on the indoor qualifying list. Worrell is currently No. 4 at 5,349 points and Krog is No. 6 with 5,322 points, which both athletes achieved at the UCCS Pre-Holiday Invite in December.
On the track, Daniel Bessolo ran his way onto the qualifying list in the 400, and the Cougars' 4x400 relay team hit the provisional time during Saturday's action. Bessolo was the fastest Non-Division I runner in the event, as he took third overall with a time of 48.32 seconds. Bessolo is currently ranked No. 19 nationally in the event.
In the 4x400, Dominic Gonzalez-Shelmire, Tyler Howard, Adonis Prince and Bessolo put together a provisional time of 3:14.30, which is the 12th-fastest time in the country so far this season.
In total, the men's team saw athletes deliver provisional qualifying performances in four events on the weekend, as Joey Rauwerda set a new personal-best in the pole vault (4.75m/15' 7"), which puts him at No. 31 on the qualifying list.
WOMEN
The women's team had provisional qualifying performances in three different events this weekend, as Alysa Henry (pole vault) and Alayna Verner (400) competed on Friday, while the 4x400 relay team put together a top-10 time to move up the qualifying list.
Yesterday, Henry set a new lifetime-best in the pole vault, clearing a height of 3.88m (12' 8 ¾") on her second attempt to move up to No. 16 nationally for the event. Prior to Friday, Henry's highest clearance was 3.68m (12' ¾").
Verner is now No. 9 in the country for the 400, as she crossed the finish line with a time of 55.62 seconds.
In addition to her effort in the 400, Verner also ran the first leg of the 4x400. Verner, along with Trinity Miller, Esther Conde-Turpin, and Kiayra Holmes, combined for the sixth-fastest time in the nation this season, posting a time of 3:47.47.
To view all of the marks and times from this weekend's meet, click here.
Up Next: Azusa Pacific has one more indoor meet on the schedule prior Indoor Nationals in March (Mar. 10 & 11), as the Cougars will send some athletes to the Arkansas Qualifier on Friday, February 17 & Saturday, February 18.
