Azusa Pacific Track & Field continued its impressive outdoor season this past weekend, competing at both the Stanford Invitational in Northern California and the Triton Invitational in San Diego. The Cougars delivered historic performances across multiple disciplines, highlighted by NCAA Division II-leading marks and entries into the APU record books.

Walczak Debuts with Historic Steeplechase Run
At the Stanford Invitational on Friday, Jessica Walczak opened her 2024 outdoor campaign with a remarkable 3000m steeplechase performance, clocking in at 10:35. Her debut time ranks eighth in NCAA Division II this season and makes her the second-fastest steeplechaser in Azusa Pacific program history.

Richardson Dominates in San Diego
While Walczak was lighting it up in Palo Alto, Hannah Richardson was making noise at the Triton Invitational in San Diego. On Friday, she unleashed a discus throw of 164'8"—the fifth-best in program history and the third-best in all of Division II this season.

Richardson followed that performance with an even more dominant showing on Saturday. Competing in the elite section of the shot put, she threw a massive 16.52m, the second-best mark in program history and the top throw in all of Division II by over three feet.

Shelmire-Gonzalez Makes History in the 400m
Dominic Gonzalez-Shelmire continued his sensational outdoor campaign with two standout performances. On Friday, he posted a personal-best 20.92 in the 200m. He returned on Saturday to steal the spotlight in the 400m, clocking a time of 45.80. The mark is the second-fastest in APU history, trailing only Innocent Egbunike's legendary 44.86, and ranks second in NCAA Division II this season. Shelmire-Gonzalez becomes the first Cougar to break the 46-second barrier in the 400m since Matt Parish did so in 2006.

Miller, Vasquez Post Strong Marks
Trinity Miller also set a new personal best in the 200m with a time of 23.89, continuing her strong spring campaign.

Sofia Vasquez capped off a stellar Friday for the Cougars in San Diego by running a personal-best 37:21.61 in the 10,000m. Her time places her in the Top-15 on Azusa Pacific's all-time list.

With elite performances coast to coast, Azusa Pacific continues to make its mark as one of Division II's premier programs. The Cougars now turn their focus to the next stretch of the outdoor season with momentum on their side as they set to host the Bryan Clay Invitational in the coming weeks.