(Merced, CA) The Park University Gilbert men’s and women’s track teams made a solid showing at the 2024 California Pacific Conference Track and Field Championships despite being shorthanded due to many of its players going through Park University graduation ceremonies running concurrently during the event. The men finished fourth, while the women finished third.
The Buccaneers had three winners overall in events as Dylan Hukill (100 meters) and Dshaun Vinyard (Long Jump) and Mallory Turner (400 meters) each won an event.
Hukill had the best time in the 200 meter preliminaries but came in second place in the finals. Vinyard finished third and Damian Najera fourth in the 400 meters Najera also finished in seventh in the 200 meters. Bridger Megeath finished third in the 100 meter preliminaries but was unable to continue due to injury.
In distance events, Davin Soto posted two top-five finishes in the 3000 meter Steeplechase (3rd) and the 5000 meters (4th).
Nicholas Fay finished third in the shot put.
On the ladies side, only Turner and Nardia Padilla participated in events. In addition to Turner winning the 400 meters, Turner finished third in the 100 and 200 meters just behind teammate Nardia Padilla who finished second in both events. Padilla finished eight in the 400 meters and fifth in the long jump.
The Cal Pac Championships don’t have the high jump as an event, which would have led to more points for the Buccaneers as Owen Olney would have been the favorite on the men’s side having qualified for the NAIA Championships last year in the event and Turner would have been one of the favorites on the women’s side.
This brings the 2023-24 season to a close for the Buccaneers as a team. Olney has made the “B” qualifying score for the NAIA tournament in the high jump but is still short of the height to make the top 16 and ties who get to go to the national tournament. He may still participate in a “last chance” meet to see if he can make the necessary height to qualify which currently sits at 6 feet 8 and ¾ inches. His best height so far this season is 6 feet 7 and ½ inches.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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