LOS ANGELES - Cal Poly Pomona men's track & field delivered a well-rounded showing across two Southern California meets on Saturday, competing at both the Pomona-Pitzer Invite in Claremont and the Rafer Johnson Invite at UCLA.
 
At the Pomona-Pitzer Invite, the Broncos leaned on their distance and field event depth. Junior Jimmy Guerrero highlighted the day on the track with a third-place finish in the 1500 meters (3:52.41), while a tightly packed group in the 800 meters saw five Broncos finish within three seconds of one another, led by freshman Trajan Cephas' fifth-place effort (1:53.44). In the field, senior Darius Hill captured the long jump title with a mark of 6.85 meters, leading a trio of Broncos in the top three. Freshman Omar Soufi added a podium finish in the shot put (16.01m) and placed fourth in the discus, continuing a strong debut campaign.
 
Meanwhile, at the Rafer Johnson Invite, Cal Poly Pomona's sprint and hurdle groups showcased their speed against a highly competitive field, finishing in second place with a team score of 154. The Broncos posted three top-10 finishes in the 100 meters, led by Thenuk Chandrasekera (10.92). The 400-meter group impressed with five scorers, including a fourth-place finish from Jordan Crowdus (48.67). The hurdles squad also stood out, as Harry Chen led a deep group in the 110 hurdles with a third-place finish (14.89), while Darryll Stevens took third in the 400 hurdles (54.70).
 
The Broncos also excelled in relays and vertical jumps at UCLA. The 4x400 relay team claimed victory in 3:16.73, and Chen added a meet title in the high jump (2.01m). In the pole vault, Jered Beasley cleared an NCAA Division II qualifying mark of 5.00 meters, leading a group of four Broncos in the top six.  
Pomona-Pitzer Invite
 
400 Meters
29. Sam Coupland - 52.16
43. Evan Johnson - 53.77 (PR)
 
800 Meters
5. Trajan Cephas - 1:53.44
9. Nathan Sackett - 1:54.54 (PR)
18. Mason Colwell - 1:55.83
19. Trevor Benson - 1:55.90
22. Derek Ynfante - 1:56.02 (PR)
 
1500 Meters
3. Jimmy Guerrero - 3:52.41
33. Chris Razo - 4:01.79 (PR)
40. Daniel Echeveste - 4:02.75
57. Francisco Zavaleta - 4:07.29
 
110 Hurdles
11. Sam Coupland - 15.64
 
3000 Steeplechase
10. David Flores - 10:16.56
 
4x400 Relay
8. Cal Poly Pomona - 3:26.55
 
High Jump
12. Sam Coupland - 1.71m
 
Long Jump
1. Darius Hill - 6.85m
2. Deandre Smith - 6.62m
3. Evan Johnson - 6.59m (PR)
18. Sam Coupland - 6.20m
 
Shot Put
3. Omar Soufi - 16.01m
10. Tyson Dales - 13.59m
28. Evan Johnson - 10.88m (PR)
 
Discus
4. Omar Soufi - 45.07m (PR)
12. Tyson Dales - 40.84m
 
Hammer Throw
27. Tyson Dales - 34.14m (PR)
 
Javelin
4. John Dvorak - 56.11m
15. Frank Macias - 46.48m  
Rafer Johnson Invite
 
100 Meters
6. Thenuk Chandrasekera - 10.92
7. Jayden Newkirk - 10.93 (PR)
10. Gavin Binning - 11.18
14. Isaiah Marecheau - 11.57
 
200 Meters
9. Thenuk Chandrasekera - 22.13
13. Jeremiah Eyster - 22.37
14. Andrew Sayles - 22.46
15. Nathan Santa Cruz - 22.46
 
400 Meters
4. Jordan Crowdus - 48.67 (PR)
6. Nathan Santa Cruz - 49.01 (PR)
8. Andrew Sayles - 49.27
9. Jeremiah Eyster - 49.38 (PR)
12. Evan Josephson - 49.48
 
110 Hurdles
3. Harry Chen - 14.89
4. Luke Amico - 15.61
5. Gavin Hanes - 15.66
6. Keegan Schmidt - 15.68
8. Garrett Higgins - 19.30 (PR)
 
400 Hurdles
3. Darryll Stevens - 54.70
4. Keegan Schmidt - 55.14 (PR)
5. Luke Amico - 56.66
 
4x100 Relay
2. Cal Poly Pomona - 41.76
 
4x400 Relay
1. Cal Poly Pomona - 3:16.73
 
High Jump
1. Harry Chen - 2.01m
 
Pole Vault
2. Jered Beasley - 5.00m  NCAA PROVO 
3. Ian Strode - 4.85m
5. Gavin Hanes - 4.70m
6. Mio Desclous - 4.55m
6. Garrett Higgins - 4.55m  
Up Next
The Broncos have yet another big weekend coming up, competing at the Mt. SAC Relays and Bryan Clay Invitational. It will be the team's final meets before heading to the CCAA Championships April 30-May 2 in San Marcos.