Seattle, WA – The Saints Track & Field teams return home from Seattle Washington with some well-earned success due to an amazing performance highlighted with two SMU records being bested. The Saints also return home with 12 personal records, just like at the UW Preview two weeks ago where the two teams had 16 PR's as well. Keeping this pace will certainly lead the Saints to success.
 
The SMU women's team had some very outstanding success at this meet, some highlights of the meet included these runners: Cassidy Walchak Sloan, in her first race of the season, setting a new school record in the Mile of 4:52.83, which is also an NCAA DII National Championship Provisional qualifying time. Currently her times ranks her #1 in the GNAC. Alisha Saucedo setting a new school record in the 800m of 2:15.34, which is only 1 second off a NCAA DII National Championship provisional qualifying time. Currently her time ranks her #4 in the GNAC. Sara Sabra running her first mile race in years and running close to a 6 second personal record in 5:17.65. Kya Ramirez running a mile personal record of 5:37.39. Jocelyn Saribay came out strong in the weight throw with two tosses over 50 feet, including a mark of 15.38 meters which was the second highest among DII athletes at the meet. In the 200m dash, Madison Vu was fourth among DII competitors, while Alyssa Duncan just cracked the five meter mark in the long jump. Gabriela Cintron had a PR for herself when she finished with a 9.70 in the 60m hurdles.
 
SMU men's team also had an outstanding performance, the highlights of their meet included these runners: Kainalu Pagente running the best track race of his life and setting a new personal record in the Mile by over 7 seconds. Running 4:16.33, which ranks him top 3 all-time in SMU history and currently ranks him 9^th in the GNAC. The only indoor mile runners in school history that are ahead of Kainalu are in the SMU Hall of Fame (Nate Carlson and Andy Prentice). Eli Dale running one of his best track races of his life; breaking his personal record in the Mile by over 6 seconds and running 4:29.44. Timmy Higgins (Fr) running the best double of his life and setting indoor personal records in the 800m (1:59.67) and mile (4:35.68). Timmy's 800m time ranks him 9^th in the GNAC. Aric Jacklin (Fr) running his best track race of his life and setting a new personal record in the mile of 4:41.57. Jaydon Blackburn (Fr) running a mile personal record of 4:38.48. Noe Ortega (Fr), despite feeling a little under the weather, running an indoor mile personal record of 4:34.74. Jaskaran Dhatt, running an indoor mile personal record of 4:49.65. Michael Harwell battled hard in the mile and was only 4 seconds off his personal record, despite feeling a little under the weather. Andrew Schulz leaped 6.38m in the long jump which was good for 17th.

After the Saints returned home, distance Coach Nate Carlson had this to say about the teams "Despite all the personal record performances, the Saints Distance runners still have lots of room to improve. Most made some tactical errors, and many had things they can improve upon in the middle of their races.  This is easy to fix and very encouraging going into the last 3 weeks of the season before GNAC Championships. We have lots more in the tank and are primed for a great second half of the season!  This group has tremendous attitudes and work hard every week. They are honoring God by using their God-given talents to the best of their abilities. I am proud of them! Our best is yet to come!"
 
The Saint's teams will not be taking a long break in-between meets and will be back in action on February 3^rd, 2024, in Newberg, OR.