Event: NCAA West Regional
Where: Myers Stadium — Austin, Tex.
When: Thursday through Saturday, all day
Who to watch: Junior Melanise Chapman’s performance at the Big West Championships was a promising start of post-season competition, and could provide the momentum the Aggies need to perform at the NCAA West Regional.
Chapman tied school records with victories in both the 100m and 200m, with times of 11.67 seconds and 24.09 seconds, respectively. She also was a member of both of UC Davis’ third-place relay teams.
Did you know? In the 2010 NCAA West Preliminary Meet at Texas, the Aggie men and women posted phenomenal results. Two-time Big West champion Thomas Phillips finished 32nd in the 400 with his third-fastest time of the year.
On the women’s side, Lauren Wallace placed 33rd in the 800m prelims with a 2:10.53. Kaitlin Gregg placed 19th and Sarah Sumpter placed 31st in the women’s 10,000m.
Preview: The Aggies begin their quest for positive results in this year’s NCAA Championships with a meet at Myers Stadium.
The Aggies have been consistently posting strong performances this year, the most recent at the Big West Championships.
Last weekend Sumpter, a senior, and coach Drew Wartenburg were honored with Big West awards. Sumpter was named the Women’s Track Athlete of the Year, while Wartenburg shared Women’s Coach of the Year honors.
Wartenburg was impressed with the way Sumpter performed in both of her events at the Big West Finals.
“The 5,000/10,000-meter double is a grueling event assignment,” Wartenburg said. “But Sarah [Sumpter] would not have had it any other way.”
Over the past several months, the Aggies have proven that they possess the willpower, vigor and consistency to accomplish phenomenal results at the NCAA West Regional at Myers Stadium on Thursday.
— Veena Bansal
