Report by LBSU

Senior Dylan Jaedtke highlighted a strong showing by the Long Beach State track and field team on the first day of competition at the Asics/Steve Scott Invitational as he recorded an NCAA Regional mark in the 3000-meter steeplechase at Anteater Stadium on Saturday.

Jaedtke, who led the entire race, topped his lifetime best by nine seconds, clocking in at 9:06.13 to qualify for the West Regional meet. Sophomore Josh Arrieta also notched a personal-record (9:27.78) with a runner-up performance, while junior Jacob Ainsworth had a career-low 9:36.99.

In the 5000-meter run, sophomore Steven DeCastro was the 49ers’ top finisher with a fifth-place showing (14:56.17). Sophomore Josh Ruff took seventh with a time of 15:06.16 and Nick Kelley rounded out the trio in 15th (15:37.81). All three athletes established lifetime bests.

Over on the women’s side, senior Sarah Apgar took top honors in the 5000m, crossing the finish line in 17 minutes, 3.64 seconds, while classmate Kristina Wilson finished third (17:11.79). Freshman Alisia Barajas (18:01.94), junior Cheryl Bube (18:20.27) and sophomore Veronica Franco (18:25.32) also established personal records.

In the field events, junior Kenneth Medwood leapt a season-best 23-09.50 for a top 10 finish in the long jump. Senior Patrick Smith also took second in the javelin (193-04), while junior Colin Dunbar placed fifth in the hammer throw (181-11).

Long Beach State continues action at the Asics/Steve Scott Invitational tomorrow. The field events get underway at 10 a.m., while the track events are slated for a noon start.