(Flagstaff, AZ) The Park University Gilbert Track & Field teams opened its 2023 indoor campaign at the Skydome at Northern Arizona University and posted six lifetime best times, three heat winners, and saw one school record fall competing against Division I teams and in-state NAIA rival Ottawa (Ariz.). Among the DI schools competeing were Arizona State, Cal State Bakersfield and Grand Canyon.
“I couldn’t be happier with the preparation, focus and team camaraderie,” said Buccaneers head coach Jeremy Winzer, “To see the athletes execute and have success was icing on the cake. While we want to always run fast and be able to hold our ground against bigger programs our focus has been on the culture shift where we support one another.”
Manuel Najera set the tone going wire to wire to win the 600-meter run in a time of 1:25.90, just short of his lifetime best.
Junior Trevor Snedeker ran a personal best 1:27.47 in the same race enabling the Buccaneers to finish 1-2.
On the women’s side, senior Maryan Shariff ran a smart and tactical race overtaking a Grand Canyon runner with a strong move on the home stretch and kick to the line to win her 800-meter run heat in 2:36.86.
Redshirt freshman Zhanna Edwards capped the meet with a new school record in the 200-meter run with a time of 26.81 in her heat. The record was previously held by senior Jaiden Canady who will open her season later this month.
Senior Nardia Padilla also had a good day on the track, running back-to-back lifetime best times in the 400-meter run (1:03.60) and 200-meter run (27.84). She also set a new indoor personal best in the long jump (4.75).
The Buccaneers return to the track next Saturday, January 21 at Paradise Valley Community College.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
