The UCSD track team finished up its regular season by competing in a variety of events at the Last Chance Qualifier meet hosted by Azusa Pacific University. The meet, held Saturday, May 11, was the final opportunity for the Tritons to record their best marks in hopes of qualifying for the NCAA Division II Championships in Pueblo, Colo. in two weeks.
Six UCSD athletes have a good shot at qualifying for the national tournament, with the official NCAA declarations coming out Monday. The top 20 in the nation will qualify for the meet. Throwers Sophomore thrower Nash Howe, senior thrower, A.B. Shaheen and junior pole vaulter Clint Rosser will likely represent the Triton men. On the women’s side, sophomore sprinter Sabrina Pimentel has qualified in the 800 meters, while three athletes remain on the bubble. Senior javelin thrower Jessica Miklaski is currently ranked 16th, while triple jumpers freshman Kristin Sato and sophomore Chantia Justice are ranked 19th and 20th, respectively.
“It’s the smallest group we’ve ever sent to nationals, but [Pueblo, Colo.] is a horrible place to compete,” UCSD assistant coach Nick Howe said. “It’s hot and dry and dusty. The pole vault pit is surrounded by concrete, and there’s usually a cross windcrosswind. And for javelin, there is usually a side wind. The team that is going there will be competing in those events, so it’s a toss up.”
Sophomore Sabrina Pimentel finished in first place in the women’s 800-meter dash for the Tritons, with a time of 2:12.23. Pimentel also helped the women’s 4×400 team finish in fourth place with a time of 3:51.79, along with seniors Raquel Ormnsby and Chelsey Kamson and junior Lauren Irish. But for the first time in six seasons, the women’s 4×400 team — traditionally UCSD’s strongest event — will not qualify for the NCAA national tournament.
“Pimentel, who qualified for the 800 meters, will be racing in a really tough environment,” Howe said. “But for her, it’s a hometown meet, because her family is from Pueblo, and she went there last year on the 4×400 team.”
Two Tritons finished tied for fifth in the women’s pole vault event. Freshmen Megan Benham and Sydney Blakeley posted 3.62 marks. In the men’s pole vault, junior Clint Rosser finished first, topping out at 4.97, while junior Benjamin Berthet finished right behind him, tied for second with a 4.82.
“Rosser is jumping better and better every week,” Howe said. “His potential is next-level if he keeps jumping the way he’s done. He’s been [setting personal records] every week.”
Freshman Kristin Sato performed well in the women’s triple jump, recording a best mark of 11.93 meters.
Senior Uchenna Agbahiwe recorded a personal best 147’4 mark in the women’s discus throw event, placing fifth. On the men’s side, seniors Zachary Nagengast and Matthew Endler took seventh and eighth respectively, with marks of 49.80 and 46.47.
Senior Ryan Eckert earned a provisional mark in the men’s shot put with a second-place finish of 54’2.75”, a personal best. Eckert is now third on the Triton’s top 10 in the shot put event. Endler also performed well for the Tritons, tying for fifth with a 45’11.25” mark.
Both the Triton men and women impressed in the javelin. Senior Kiley Libuit finished in seventh for the men with a 52.74 meter mark, while Miklaski took fourth, posting a 38.06 mark.
The Tritons took two out of the top three spots in the men’s hammer throw event. Senior Shaheen placed second with a distance of 57.91 meters, and Nagengast came in right behind him with a 52.66-meter throw.
The NCAA Division II Championships will be held over a three-day set from May 23 to May 25.
