April 13, 2017

TORRANCE, Calif. - Senior Michaela Mundt finished fifth in the hammer throw at 56.45 meters while sophomore Michael Pertusati posted a team season-best effort of 56.22 meters in the men's event, helping UC Davis kick off a full weekend of track & field at the Mt. SAC Relays, hosted this year at El Camino College.

Mundt's throw, which converts to 185 feet, 2 inches, marks the fourth time she has broken the 56-meter threshold this season. Pertusati's mark eclipsed his previous best of 55.56m (182-3), set at UNLV in mid-March. UC Davis also had representation in each steeplechase, with senior Olivia Goins placing 33rd (10:57.78) in the women's version and senior Jordon Rushing hitting a season-best 9:13.40 to finish 30th in the men's race. Hannah Kirkegaard (37:01.32) and Amar Dholokia (31:20.97) also represented the Aggies in the two 10,000-meter events. The bulk of the legendary Mt. SAC meet takes place on Friday and Saturday. UC Davis will also field squads at Long Beach State's Beach Invitational and its own Woody Wilson Classic later this weekend. 2017 MT. SAC RELAYS, DAY 1
El Camino College Murdock Stadium (Torrance, Calif.)
Events with UC Davis entrants only. Winner plus UC Davis competitors listed. MEN'S HAMMER THROW - 1. Silviu Bocancea, UC Riverside, 64.27m (210-10)... 12. Michael Pertusati, 56.22m (184-5). WOMEN'S HAMMER THROW - 1. Brianna Smith, Mississippi State, 60.38m (198-1)... 5. Michaela Mundt, 56.45m (185-2); 21. Morgan Dutra, 47.51m (155-10). MEN'S 3,000 STEEPLECHASE OPEN - 1. Emmanual Rotich, Tulane, 8:48.32... 30. Jordon Rushing, 9:13.40. WOMEN'S 3,000 STEEPLECHASE OPEN - 1. Laura Yarrow, Colorado State, 10:07.85... 33. Olivia Goins, 10:57.78. WOMEN'S 10,000 METERS OPEN 'B' - 1. Lauren Bartels, Tulane, 35:31.71... 21. Hannah Kirkegaard, 37:01.32. MEN'S 10,000 METERS OPEN 'A' - 1. Reuben Kiprono, Portland, 29:36.32... 31. Amar Dholakia, 31:20.97.