Four days in SoCal on the horizon

Wednesday, April 13

Azusa, CA

Fresno State

Bryan Clay Invitational

Four days in SoCal on the horizon

4/12/2022 6:10:00 PM | Track & Field

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State is set to split up its teams throughout Southern California this week. The Bulldogs will compete in in the annual Bryan Clay Invitational and Mt. SAC Relays along with others hosted at Long Beach State (Pacific Coast Intercollegiate and Beach Invitational).

In total, 41 athletes will be in competition this week for the 'Dogs.

The four-day stretch of meets will begin on Wednesday with the Bulldogs' multis at the Bryan Clay Invitational.

Fresno State Outdoor Track & Field – Meet Week #6
Event: Bryan Clay Invitational
Host: Azusa Pacific
Date: April 13-15
Location: Azusa, Calif.
Live Results | Schedule (PDF) | Watch ($)

Event: Pacific Coast Intercollegiate
Host: Long Beach State
Date: April 14
Location: Long Beach, Calif.
Live Results | Schedule (PDF)

Event: Beach Invitational
Host: Long Beach State
Date: April 15-16
Location: Long Beach, Calif.
Live Results | Schedule (PDF)

Event: Mt. SAC Relays
Host: Mt. San Antonio College
Date: April 15-16
Location: Walnut, Calif.
Live Results | Schedule

FRESNO STATE ENTRIES
WOMEN – Kaja Bins, Nakyia Buckner, Alexa Dandridge, Amelia DiPaola, Daylee Dunn, Rhiannon Genilla, Shaylee Grimm, Emma Harper, De'ja Hudson, Morgan Hutchison, Madison Hutton, Cierra Jackson, Mia Jauregui, Morgan Johnson, Maria Lawson, Nadia Maffo, Cu-Nisha Mitchell, Taylor Nelson, Victoria Nino, Queen Okoh, Rachela Pace, Kaitlynn Perez, Ceonna Pipion, Daveion Robinson, Brianna Sproles, Antoinette Stubbfield, Agita Svetere, Tahj'nee Thurston, Jodeci Weems, Trinity Williams

MEN – Nathan Burd, Isaiah Calvin, Cameron Haynes, Austin Henschen, Meinkaikay Kaye, Dane Koesterer, Garrett Ostrinski, Charles Remlinger, Joey Turner, Mohamed Saleh, Julian Sotelo

IN THE RANKINGS
In the first USTFCCA regional rankings, Fresno State checked in at No. 15 in the West, third among Mountain West programs.

In the initial conference rankings, the Bulldogs come in at No. 5, 33 points behind Nevada and 59 points ahead of New Mexico.

STOP, HAMMER TIME
When Fresno State's hammer crew takes to the throwing ring, it's a must-see event. With its three top hammer throwers returning this season in Hannah Chappell, Amelia DiPaola and Tahj'nee Thurston, Fresno State's group got even stronger this year with the addition of Florida State transfer Nadia Maffo. In their first two meets together this season, the group has claimed the top four spots.

Fresno State is one of two schools in the in the West Region, along with Arizona State, with three hammer throwers who own marks over 60 meters this year.
Fresno State ranks No. 3 in the NCAA in the event squad rankings.
Fresno State's top four hammer throwers account for half of the program's Top 8 all-time in the event.

MOVING UP
For the first time in her career, Nadia Maffo eclipsed the 45-meter mark at the West Coast Relays. The senior's best throw of 65.32m/214-4 put her atop the Mountain West in the event and second all-time at Fresno State. She subsequently was named Mountain West Field Athlete of the Week.

Along with her best throw, Maffo also finished the competition with throws of 65.01m/213-3 and 64.55m/211-9. All three attempts surpassed her previous PR of 64.53m/211-8 which she set in 2019.

ONE APPEARANCE, ONE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Following her first appearance for the Bulldogs, Modesto JC transfer Rhiannon Genilla earned her first Mountain West Outdoor Track & Field Athlete of the Week honor. At the time of her personal best mark of 48.20m/158-2 at the Kim Duyst Invitational, she ranked No. 1 in the NCAA.

Through four weeks she is 49th in the NCAA, 28th in the West and leads the Mountain West.
It was the Bulldogs' second Athlete of the Week honor in the last two seasons. Prior to 2021, Fresno State had not had one since 2016.

SPRINTING INTO THE SPRING
Sophomore sprinter Ceonna Pipion has been quick off the blocks to start the spring, winning her first event at the Hornet Invitational in her main event, the 400 meters with a 55.23. She then won the 200/400 double last week at the Cal Poly Invitational.

The sophomore sits seventh in the Mountain West in the 400 meters (55.23), 11th in the 200 meters (24.69) and 12th in the 100 meters (12.11).

FRESHMAN STRENGTH
Coming off a strong performance at the Mountain West Indoor Championships, that included a second-place finish in the weight throw and fourth in the shot put, Cierra Jackson has not let up in the spring. Competing in both the discus and shot put, the freshman ranks in the Top 6 in the conference in both, coming in at No. 3 in the shot put at 15.24m/50-0 and No. 7 in the discus at 47.95m/157-4.

Jackson is one of three athletes in the conference to rank in the Top 7 in both, along with Colorado State's Gabby McDonald and Utah State's Tori Bailey.
Jackson's toss of 15.24m at the West Coast Relays ranks fifth all-time at Fresno State.

FRESHMAN HOPPER
Short of the 12-meter mark early in the season in the triple jump, Rachela Pace broke through at the West Coast Relays with an event-winning jump of the 12.36m/40-6.75. The mark leads the Bulldogs' group and ranks fourth in the Mountain West.

The freshman from Malta moved into the Fresno State record book where she sits eighth all-time.

UP NEXT
Fresno State will take next week off in preparation for their final meet, the Fresno State Invitational on April 30, before hosting the Mountain West Championships in mid-May.

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley '' – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.

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