LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Azusa Pacific sent a group of athletes to the Occidental Invitational on Saturday, and the Cougars achieved a couple of provisional marks during the action. 

Philippine de La Bigne made her Cougar debut this weekend, and she ran her way onto the provisional qualifying list in the 800, as she finished the race with a time of 2:09.37. de La Bigne's effort ranks her #16 nationally in the event, as she joins teammate Briseida Garcia Meza in the top-20 (Garcia Meza is currently No. 18 at 2:09.61).

Over on the men's side, the Cougars had two provisional marks on the day. Joey Rauwerda, who became the PacWest pole vault champion last week at the PacWest Track & Field Championships, had a lifetime-best vault this afternoon, as he cleared 4.85m (15' 11") on his second attempt at the height. Rauwerda won the event, and it moved him up to No. 32 nationally.

The Cougars also had a provisional time in the 4x400 relay, as the quartet of Tyler Howard, Daniel Bessolo, Sid Varland and Dominic Gonzalez-Shelmire teammed up for a time of 3:13.40 (ranks them #40 nationally). It is the Cougars' second 4x4 team to meet the provisional standard this season, as Howard, Bessolo, Gonzalez-Shelmire and Leroy Kwateh ran a relay of 3:12.37 in mid March, which has them ranked No. 31 in the country.

Up Next: Azusa Pacific will host one final meet before Nationals (May 25-27, Pueblo, Colo.), as the APU Franson Last Chance is scheduled for Friday, May 12 & Saturday, May 13 in Azusa.