FULLERTON — Three USCB track and field athletes won titled at the Big West Championships Saturday, and several others earned podium finishes.
Malia Benson won the gold in women’s javelin, Ethan Godsey in the men’s 5000 meter run and Leon Gillis in the men’s high jump.
In the team standings, the men took fourth place and the women fifth.
Benson, who already holds the school record in just her first season, came out strong and earned the championship on her very first throw, reaching 50.08 meters. She followed that with a mark of 49.62 meters. Those were the two best throws of the day; the second-place finisher hit 47.60 meters.
“In the javelin, Malia won the meet on her first throw,” said Cody Fleming, UCSB director of track and field.
“In just her first year ever throwing, she has stepped up and met every challenge. She was over 50 meters for the second meet this season. We’re just scratching the surface on what she’s capable of doing in the sport. Her arm talent is unbelievable.”
Godsey was crowned Big West Champion in the 5000 with a time of 14:51.12. He started in the middle of the pack, and made his move in the last five laps, fending off a challenge at the end.
“I was so impressed with Ethan,” Fleming said. “We wanted to give him a chance to go after the 5K and he stepped into the moment. For a true freshman to win this event; it’s unprecedented. He was in position with one lap to go and dropped a jaw dropping 58-second last lap.”
Gillis won the long jump with a mark of 2.14 meters, or 7.25 feet.
“Leon was on a different level,” Fleming said. “The 4×4’s were going on and the curve was packed with fans and athletes. It was perfect to have the high jump next to it all. Leon fed off the energy and jumped over 7 feet for the first time in his career.”
Along with those Gauchos, there were seven others who made it onto the podium today. They were: Mariana Lanz in the 400 with a 55.27; Madelyn Conte in the 400 hurdles with a 1:00.75; Tyler Holl, Brendan Fong, Justin Fong and Deonne McCrary in the 1600 relay with a time of 3:12.99; Kennedy Johnson with a mark of 12.44 meters in triple jump; and Brad Thomas with a throw of 63.66 meters.
This was the final meet of the 2023 season for the Gauchos as they look to see if any of their athletes will earn a spot in the postseason.