May 11, 2008

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Add another name to the list of Regional qualifiers for the UCSB track team. Christina Nowak had a huge day in the high jump, clearing 5'8.75" (1.75m) and taking second place in the Occidental Invitational.

Nowak's clearance was a new lifetime best, and this will be her first time advancing to Regionals. She and Jane Doolittle have both cleared 1.75 meters and will be looking to keep up the good work heading into the postseason.Both of them are currently tied for third on UCSB's all-time high jump list.

Lindsay Brunner also made the best of this final regular season meet, qualifying for Conference in the 800m. Brunner had been hanging around 2:17 for the entire season, just shy of the qualifying standard of 2:16.70. She finally dipped under the qualifying time this weekend, running a 2:15.69 and taking fifth in her section. Brunner and Sarah Roth will represent the Gaucho women in the 800m at next weekend's Conference Championships.

Out in the field, Jennifer Brown set a new personal best in the pole vault by clearing 11'2.25" (3.41m), the top mark for the lady Gauchos in the pole vault so far this season. Alex Umstead also had a personal best in one of his events, throwing 153'4" (46.73m) in the hammer throw.

Bethany Nickless improved her time in the 1500m substantially, crossing the line in 4:31.73. She and Danielle Domenichelli are both in the 4:30 range heading into the Conference meet.

The Big West Conference Championships take place on Friday and Saturday of this upcoming weekend, May 16 and 17. The Championships will be held at Cal State Northridge. Information is available here, and will also be posted on UCSBgauchos.com later this week.