CLAREMONT, Calif. — San Diego women's track turned in a standout performance at the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational Saturday, highlighted by a historic double from Lilly Dow and a series of personal bests across 1500m and 800m.
"I was proud of the group as they came in with the intention of showing their identity," said head coach Will Guarino. "I saw strong racing and even those that did not run personal bests, raced and came near their best."
USD's distance crew competed in the 1500m and 800m events on the day on Strehle Track and posted a plethora of personal bests.
Dow, the junior, was the story of the day, recording personal bests in both the 1500 meters and the 800 meters to lead the Toreros. In the 1500m, Dow crossed the line in 16th at 4:49.78 — a personal best that ranks 28th all-time at USD.
The 1500m was a particularly impressive event for San Diego as a group. Sydney Tackett ran a personal best of 4:49.88, placing 29th all-time at USD, while Nathalie Green also set a new personal best with a 4:51.52 — 37th all-time in the program. Amy O'Connell (5:14.92) and Hana Husmann (5:15.33) each added personal bests of their own to round out the event.
Dow then returned in the 800m to run 2:17.64, another personal best that places her 12th all-time in program history. She won her 800m heat by and led the Toreros in 8th overall, running down competitors over the final 300 meters of the race, showcasing her strength and competitive instincts.
Freshman Talya Sepand made her mark in the 800m, running a personal best of 2:19.83 to place 19th all-time at USD — a strong early-career statement from the first-year Torero. Tackett continued her strong day by also posting a personal best in the 800m with a time of 2:25.12.
UP NEXT
Next week the Toreros take to Azusa, Calif. for the highly competitive Bryan Clay Invite, taking place on Thursday and Friday, April 16 and 17.
RESULTS
1500m — Women
Lilly Dow — 4:49.78 (Personal Best, 28th All-Time USD)
Sydney Tackett — 4:49.88 (Personal Best, 29th All-Time USD)
Nathalie Green — 4:51.52 (Personal Best, 37th All-Time USD)
Camryn Kozak — 4:59.82
Lizzy McVey — 5:00.32
Ashleigh Schein — 5:00.92
Allison Kirby — 5:02.51
Amy O'Connell — 5:14.92 (Personal Best)
Hana Husmann — 5:15.33 (Personal Best)
800m — Women
Lilly Dow — 2:17.64 (Personal Best, 12th All-Time USD)
Talya Sepand — 2:19.83 (Personal Best, 19th All-Time USD)
Scarlett Laurent — 2:24.29
Sydney Tackett — 2:25.12 (Personal Best)
Olivia Gasper — 2:26.87
Camryn Kozak — 2:31.05
