LOS ANGELES –  The Fresno Pacific men's and women's track and field programs enjoyed their Spring Break at the Oxy Distance Carnival on Saturday at Bill Henry Track. The Sunbirds delivered nine lifetime bests and two big performances in the all-time top-five school record book.
 
"It rained on us all day, but that didn't stop us from capitalizing on a great opportunity to run against great competition at a meet we have always found great success," said head coach Ray Winter. "When 22 athletes accomplish nine lifetime bests and a bunch of season bests, it's a very good team day."
 
The biggest highlights, among many, came from Alex Torres and Vicki Arevalo in the 5k. Torres moved from seventh to fourth all-time with his first sub-15-minute time ever (14:57.74). Arevalo had a massive day, taking 30 seconds off her lifetime best to run 17:57.89 and move from 10th to fifth all-time at FPU.
 
Other highlights of the meet came from freshmen Chandler Maciel and Stewart Fernandez. Maciel took 23 seconds off his 5k time to run 15:26.22, while Fernandez had a breakthrough in the 1500, taking nine seconds off his season best at 4:15.39.
 
Adam Gonzalez-Angulo continued to be the top 'Bird in the 1500, running another solid performance in 4:04.84.
 
The women's 5k crew was outstanding on the day, backing up Arevalo with lifetime bests of their own. Stevie Gaskell (18:31.28), Bree Montoya (18:38.05), Araceli Mancilla (18:54.47), Gracielita Bastidas (19:20.43), senior Kelsey Rij (19:42.96) and Karina Vidrios-Gallegos (19:51.20) ran strong and displayed the great depth the 'Birds have in the distance events.
 
FPU continues the 2018 campaign on Friday, March 16 at the two-day Hornet Invitational in Sacramento.