SPOKANE, Wash. - The Cal Poly Pomona women's track and field squad contested its indoor season opener Saturday at the Spokane Invitational, hosted by Spokane Sports at The Podium. CPP was beginning its second consecutive campaign at the meet.

The 60 meters saw All-American Ayana Fields cross third in the final in 7.47. The sixth-year senior had actually already turned in the first NCAA provisional qualifier by a Bronco in this early going, sprinting 7.46 for the second-fastest preliminary mark and another new program standard. Ta'Ahjah Fann timed 7.72 for 17th. Earlier in qualifying, All-American Jaelyn Thomas (7.88), junior Kelsey Ehinlaiye (7.89), Kayesha Alleyne-Adams (7.93) and junior Susie Fowler (7.97) were unable to advance.

The 60-meter hurdles also started with a qualifying round, with senior Ari Milton providing the fastest mark of 8.95. Amelia Adamson went 9.76 and fellow junior Tianna Jardstrom 9.93. Milton then also produced the top time by a Bronco in prelims (8.87, 11th), just missing a provisional mark (8.84). The senior was joined by Fowler (9.09, 16th).

In the mile, the Bronco returner trio of Vivian Martinez (5:08.43), fellow sophomore Alondra Arias (5:08.49) and junior Angela Arellano (5:08.60) finished one after the other in the second and fastest of the two sections, placing 7-8-9, respectively. Arellano's time was her personal best, while Arias and Martinez made their collegiate debuts in the event. Martinez's mark in fact bettered Arellano's school record of 5:12.34.

The final event of the day with CPP involvement was the 400 meters, with Fields collecting a third provisional qualifying mark of 56.53 for fifth. Thomas was 13th in 59.02, Jardstrom right behind in 14th (59.24), Assata Polk 18th (1:01.49), Milton 21st (1:03.03), and Alleyne-Adams 22nd (1:03.86).

In field competition, seniors Shona Christensen (38'8.75", 9th) and Keiana Turner (34'10.25", 22nd), and Adamson (24'9.75", 37th), represented CPP in the shot put. Christensen posted the top mark in the first of three flights. Turner (55'0.75", 5th) and Christensen (46'5.25", 12th) also took part in the weight throw. Ehinlaiye leapt 16'9.25" for 25th in the long jump, with Adamson (15'7.75", 41st) and Milton (15'7", 42nd) also participants.

Freshmen Alleyne-Adams, Fann and Polk were making their college debuts, while Adamson, who spent the last two years at Yuba College in Marysville, competed for the first time in the green and gold.

Up Next
The Cal Poly Pomona women's indoor track and field team is done competing for the 2023 calendar year. The Broncos will return to action in 2024 on Saturday, Jan. 20, with the first of three straight meets hosted by the University of New Mexico at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, N.M. The first one is the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Invitational.