IRVINE, Calif.- The Concordia University Irvine women's track and field team took to the track for their first outdoor meet of the season on Saturday in the Team For Ely Invite. The Eagles welcomed five other schools to partake in their home meet including: Vanguard, Azusa Pacific, Biola and Northwest Nazarene, and Point Loma Nazarene. 
 
The Team For Ely Invite holds special significance to the Eagles for several reasons. Typically Team For Ely is combined with Team For Titus, which happened separately this year and featured the men's teams.  The events are dedicated to Concordia's former head track and field coach Danny Bowman and his family.  The Bowman family's two sons have suffered from Batten's Disease. Titus, the eldest son, passed away from Batten's when he was just six and the Bowman family's younger son, Ely, is still fighting the disease. The two events, Team for Titus (for the men) and Team for Ely (for the women) are to show support for the Bowman family and bring awareness to Batten's disease. To read more about the CUI track and field family and the Bowman's journey of navigating Batten's disease CLICK HERE.
 
"First of all, it's an amazing feeling to be able to have a meet honor someone and so for that family to be here, I truly appreciate them coming out," stated assistant coach DeAndra'e Woods.
 
"I'm super excited to be back, have a home meet, and be able to put on something amazing like this," continued Woods. "(It's a) Blessing during all this time. Great performances from guys and girls on both sides. I definitely think this is a meet that we needed. We are definitely in the right direction for conference and to be able to get ready for postseason." 
 
The second reason why the home opener was so special is that it was the Green and Gold's first time competing on their brand new track.  Eagles Field has seen major renovations in the last year including the installation of lights. CLICK HERE to read more about the upgrades to Eagles Field.
 
In addition to everything mentioned above, it is also senior night. The Eagles will be honoring Emilee Buzzell, Brice Gribble, Danise Herrington, Sarah Simpson, Morgan Woodman, Morgan Schepker, Alexis Rios, Hannah Hanson, and Damie Zomerschoe for their hard work and dedication to the program after the competition concludes. 
 
"It was an amazing experience to be on our our new track for Team for Ely this weekend," reflected Rios. "I felt very nostalgic since we had the Bowman's here as well. Coach Bowman was head coach my freshman and sophomore year so having him and his wife Bekah here was a surreal way to wrap up my last home meet. I've made so many incredible memories on this track and I will forever cherish my track and field family." 
 
"The biggest thing I'll remember is definitely the friendships I've made here," mentioned Schepker. "From my coaches to my teammates over the past four years, I'm so grateful for the family that is Concordia track and field. Tonight made me feel so incredibly loved!"
 
The women's track and field squad had some phenomenal performances throughout the day in both the field and track events. Not only was there good outings among the Eagles, there was high energy throughout the day.
 
"Competing today was so fun," continued Schepker. "The team overall did amazing; there were several great PRs (personal records) across the field and I loved celebrating my girls!"
 
Field Events:
Sarah Fajer had an impressive day. She placed first in the shot put and second in the hammer throw. Hanson, one of the seniors, also did great in her field event. She tied for second in the high jump with three other contestants. 
 
The ladies had a huge day with several personal records and some season bests. The following athletes hit new personal records: Gribble (high jump and 100m hurdles), Ryann Beveridge (100m hurdles), Rios (javelin), S. Fajer (hammer throw), Katie Fajer (hammer throw), Khaiya Simpson (hammer throw), and Tatiana Sosnovsky (hammer throw).
 
Gribble was stoked about her new personal best. "It felt amazing (to PR) and it's an honor to be a part of  this team," stated Gribble. "Thanks to everyone who's gotten us to this point, it's only going up from here!"
 
The following student-athletes had season bests: Sarah Fajer (shot put), Katie Fajer (discus throw), Khaiya Simpson (discus throw), and Sosnovsky (discus throw).
 
Track Events:
The Eagles kept the momentum going in the track events portion, absolutely nailing the distance events. Jori Paradis had an outstanding performance in the 800m run and the 5,000m run placing first in both events. Porsche Eismann came up shortly behind Paradis crossing the line second in the 800m run.
 
Paradis had a plan going into Saturday's meet and she executed it flawlessly.
 
"Before the race I was a little more nervous than usual, but I kept reminding myself that the work has already been put in during my workouts and that I just needed to do what I knew I was capable of," admitted Paradis. " I am very happy with how it went and know I put everything I had out there, I honestly don't think I would've changed anything about it."
 
CUI came in first, second, and third in the 10,000m run. Maddie Jahshan crossed the finish line first, followed by Anamauri Hernandez, and then Angelique Antonini.
 
Bailey Wade had a standout performance placing first in the 3000m steeplechase. Wade had an impressive stride and blew past her competition, landing a NCAA provisional in the 3k steeplechase.
 
There was two top three performances in the sprints. Madison Hergert came in second in the 400m dash, earning a new school record with a blazing time of 56.88 and Logan Nelson placed third in the 100m dash.
 
There were also several personal records and a season best in the track events. The athletes who made new personal records are Eismann (5,000m run and 800m run), Hayley Killion (1,500m run and 800m run), Sara Feitz (5,000m run), Madiyln Hererra (5,000m run), Morgan Woodman (800m run), Sarah Quinlan (100m hurdles and triple jump), Hergert (400m dash), and Kylie Dunkleberger (200m dash).
 
Kylie Smith had a season best time in the 800m run.
 
A closing note from senior Buzzell is, "Honestly, I think the last four years have gone by so fast!" 
 
"While being at Concordia, I will remember the funny moments at track practice the most," continued Buzzell. "You definitely create great bonds with people when you have to die sprinting around a track on a weekly basis.  I've met so many awesome people at Concordia, and I'm so thankful how close I've become with my coaches, teammates, and the faculty on campus. Overall, I'm feeling pretty nostalgic reflecting on the past four years. All I can say is God is so good through it all."
 
To view the full women's track and field schedule CLICK HERE.