RESULTS

SEATTLE-An individual champion at a kickoff event filled with Division I competition highlighted the Fresno Pacific Track & Field team's start to the 2024 season at the UW Invite in the Dempsey Indoor Arena.

While pole vaulters officially jump started the year for FPU last week, a larger group of sprinters and distance runners led a contingency of Sunbirds into Seattle to test how the off-season preparations will pay off.

"We had a solid Day One of work for our season," head coach Ray Winter said. "There were some impressive highlights from our men's sprint squad."

Shemar Palmer's 21.68 in the 200 put the new Sunbird into the FPU record books in his first race representing Fresno Pacific.

Palmer posted the fastest time among all ten heats of the event at the UW Invite.

"Shemar's first race as a Sunbird was an invitational champion in the 200m," Winter said. "So that was fun."

Daniel Binns also posted a 22.98 in the 200.

On the women's side, Brianna Green and Ariana Vera led the 'Birds efforts in the 200.

"Our women's sprint squad broke the ice and ran a wave of 200s to get the season started," Winter said. "They were led by captain Brianna Green. We've got a long way to go to return to another All-American season but these women are doing the work it will take."

In the 3k, Bryan Banuelos delivered a PR by a more than a second while remaining 2^nd in the FPU record books.

"On the distance side, Bryan took a second off his best in the 3,000m," Winter continued. "Another indicator of what's to come."

Alexis Ranger-Dunbar ran her second fastest career time in the 60 hurdles, posting a 9.18.

On the men's side, Kalobe Jimenez advanced to the finals with a solid 8.13 while teammate Cullin Bates joined him with in 8.24, a PR.

In the final, Bates broke his recent PR with a 8.17 for 4^th in the event.

"Kalobe and Cullin were also strong presences in the 60m hurdle finals as well," Winter said.

FPU concludes the UW Invite on Saturday at the Dempsey Indoor Arena.

SUNBIRD SOCIAL 

• Twitter - @fpusunbirds 
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
• Facebook - /FPUsunbirds