Senior Robbie Cherry earned All-American honors on the final day of the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Edwardsville, Illinois by taking second place in the men’s marathon. His time of 2:29:41 is the fourth fastest in Westmont history and serves as a crowning achievement of Cherry’s collegiate career.

“After (participating) in eleven national championships, I finally walk away with some hardware,” said Cherry after the race.

“That was a nice reward for a dedicated athlete and team member,” said Westmont head coach Russell Smelley, “someone who has done everything for the team. It’s his eleventh national championship event as a developmental guy that was always in a support role. He makes the valiant effort and ends up an All-American.”

[men’s results] [women’s results]

Freshman Megan Wong passed two competitors in the final two laps to claim All-American honors in the women’s 3,000 meter race walk at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Edwardsville, Illinois. Wong, who finished sixth, completed the race in 15:50.13, more than 50 seconds better than her previous top time.

“Megan had an amazing time,” said Westmont assistant coach Joe Mendelson. “She trained well this past week. I didn’t like her form the first few laps but she is a competitor. I had a couple of things to say to her during the race and last two laps were fantastic, especially that last 100 (meters).”

[men’s results] [women’s results]

Rain all morning and into the afternoon at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Edwardsville, Illinois, proved to set the tone for a disappointing first day for the Westmont Warriors at the three-day event.

“We have a lot of unhappy people today,” said head coach Russell Smelley. “Hopefully we can feed them and make them feel better.”

A break in the showers came just in time for Lorin Milotta’s race in the women’s 100 meter hurdle prelims which turned out to be the bright spot in the Warriors’ day. Milotta qualified for tomorrow’s semifinals by posting a time of 14.95. The top four finishers from each of the three heats advanced to the next round plus the next best four times. Milotta finished fifth in the second heat but had the best time of the fifth place runners from each heat. The semifinals are scheduled for 1:20 p.m. (CDT) with the finals following at 4:50 p.m.

[men’s results] [women’s results]

Eight men and six women will represent Westmont at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships beginning on Thursday at Ralph Korte Stadium in Edwardsville, Illinois.

Sophomore Kasey Kearin will compete in the long jump on Thursday evening and the triple jump on Friday evening. Kearin’s mark of 5.80 meters (19 feet 0.5 inch) in the long jump is third best among the event’s entrants which gives her a good chance at earning All-American honors - recognition given to the top six finishers in each event. Her season best in the triple jump is 11.49 meters (37 feet 8.5 inches).

Sophomore Kasey Kearin won the Golden State Athletic Conference women’s long jump championship, and several members of the Westmont Track and Field team qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the GSAC Track and Field Championships in Azusa.

“Kasey is the first women’s long jump GSAC Champion in Westmont history,” said head coach Russell Smelley. “She also set the school record by jumping more than a foot farther than she had before.”

After fouling on her first two attempts, Kearin jumped 5.23 meters (17 feet 2 inches) to qualify for the finals. On her second jump in the finals, Kearin nailed 5.80 meters (19 feet one-half inch) to claim the win. The mark is good enough for automatic qualification in the national championships. Kearin also posted an automatic qualifying mark of 11.49 meters (37 feet 8.5 inches) in the triple jump where she placed third.

[results]

Twelve student-athletes were honored on Thursday night at the Fourteenth Golden Eagle Award Dinner held at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort. Referred to as the ‘best night of the year for Westmont Athletics,’ the event is sponsored by the Pacific Beverage Company and Pete and Gerd Jordano.

“It’s even better than our 28-point win over Azusa Pacific,” said associate athletic director and head women’s basketball coach Kirsten McKnight in welcoming the 125 attendees.

Westmont athletic director Dave Wolf served as master of ceremonies for the event and noted that the Westmont staff of head coaches tallied a combined 114 years of experience and that for seven of the coaches, their entire head coaching experience has been at Westmont.

Freshmen Alison Sharp and Isaac Hayes each earned two wins in the retro themed track and field meet between visiting George Fox (Ore.) and the Warriors of Westmont. Sharp picked up wins in the women’s shot put (36-11) and the discus (114-2) and placed second in the hammer throw (101-06). Hayes won the men’s 100 yard dash (10.2) and the 220 yard dash (23.1).

Westmont men won the dual meet by a score of 87-76 while George Fox took the women’s meet with a score of 90.5 to 75.5

The event marked the final meet to be held on Westmont’s crushed brick and clay track and was celebrated by both teams with clothes and music from the 60s and 70s. Long, bright colored socks, afros and pony tails added to the truly festive occasion as well as a collection of vintage uniforms. Nearly all events were conducted in inches, feet and yards as they was done in years long gone.

[results]

On Wednesday, Westmont track and field will mark the end of an era when it hosts the last meet on its 440-yard, crushed-brick and clay track. Construction on a new track & field/soccer facility with an all-weather track and a grass infield is scheduled to begin this coming fall.

“It’s going to be a fun meet,” said head coach Russell Smelley. “The facility is beautiful when it is dressed up and lined. It is a historical moment and the end of an era. The students would love to have the support of people coming out and cheering for them.”

The Warriors will host the Bruins of George Fox (Oregon) in a dual meet. The field events are scheduled for a two o’clock start with the track events scheduled to begin at three. The meet will be the first at the facility since March 29, 2003 when Westmont hosted Redlands.